The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has stated that it did not sign the communiqué that led to the suspension of its recent strike against Dangote Refinery, insisting that key issues remain unresolved.
The union halted its nationwide strike on Wednesday after government intervention but warned it could resume action if the resolutions are not fully honoured.
Appearing on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo explained that the communiqué circulated after the meeting was not a binding agreement.
“If you see that communiqué, we did not sign it. Normally, it is supposed to be signed by three parties. We did not sign because we felt that some things in it were not okay with us,” Osifo said.
He noted that the document was simply a statement issued by the Minister of Labour and Employment, who acted as chief conciliator.
Osifo stressed that contrary to media reports, the union’s priority was not about check-off dues but about reinstating its members at the refinery.
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The union accused Dangote Refinery of illegally sacking over 800 Nigerian workers.
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PENGASSAN said Dangote initially resisted reabsorbing them until government intervention.
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The union dismissed allegations of sabotage leveled against the disengaged workers.
According to Osifo, if the refinery’s claim of sabotage had been accepted, the workers would have been permanently stigmatised and unable to secure jobs in the future.
On Wednesday, Osifo announced the suspension of the strike in Abuja after meetings with the National Security Adviser and Dangote management.
He admitted “grey areas” remained but said the action was suspended in good faith.
He warned, however, that:
“If Dangote does not do the needful, our tools are always available. We will never get tired of struggling for what is right.”
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Dingyadi, confirmed that both parties had reached a compromise. He assured that:
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Over 800 affected workers would be reassigned to Dangote Group subsidiaries without loss of pay.
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No worker would be victimised for union activities.
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court had earlier issued a seven-day interim injunction restraining PENGASSAN from continuing the strike, warning that it could cause irreparable damage.
Dangote Refinery, commissioned in May 2023, denied any wrongdoing. The company explained that restructuring was necessary for efficiency and safety, and only a fraction of its 3,000 Nigerian staff were affected.
The refinery also accused PENGASSAN of disrupting operations illegally, warning that such actions could impact fuel supply and national revenues.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) threw its weight behind PENGASSAN, condemning the mass sackings and foreign staff replacements.
“We stand in full solidarity with the affected workers. No corporation will be allowed to trample on workers’ rights,” said TUC Secretary-General Nuhu Toro.
Despite suspending the strike, PENGASSAN has vowed to resume action without notice if the resolutions are not fully implemented.
