The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), led by its President-General, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining industrial harmony in the maritime sector during a courtesy visit to African Logistics Global (AGL), a leading shipping company located on Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos.
The Union delegation, comprising Shipping Branch executives, was warmly received by AGL’s Managing Director, who congratulated the newly elected union leaders and commended MWUN for sustaining a cordial and productive relationship with the company over the years.
According to a statement signed by Head of Media, MWUN, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, the MD expressed optimism that the existing synergy would continue under the new leadership, praying that the partnership “will continue to find its bearings with this crop of leadership.”
In his remarks, Comrade Bunu expressed appreciation to AGL’s management for their longstanding cooperation and goodwill towards the Union.
“This is my first time hearing employers of labour praising and commending a labour union. The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has been very supportive and cooperative in every sense, projecting the dignity of labour in all ramifications”, he said.
He lauded the company’s management for what he described as “pragmatic support for the Union at all times,” adding that MWUN remains “formidable, strong, resilient, and committed to keeping the pact between both bodies waxing stronger for the interest of the maritime sector.”
Also speaking, the Shipping Branch President, Comrade Tajudeen Abass, thanked the female Managing Director and her team for their enduring partnership with the Union. He appealed for continued adherence to internal mechanisms for conflict resolution whenever issues arise, noting that “if there are issues, the management should always apply the Union and Management procedures of settling internally.”
He further encouraged that any unresolved matters be escalated to higher levels within the Union structure for quick resolution.
Comrade Abass also commended AGL for sponsoring both local and international training programmes for workers, urging that such initiatives continue. He expressed optimism for a generous end-of-year welfare package for workers, describing it as a hallmark of AGL’s “magnanimity during the Yuletide.”
In her response, AGL’s Human Resource Manager, Mrs Okwose, acknowledged that occasional disagreements between management and the in-house union are inevitable but emphasised that such issues are always resolved amicably. “Crisis, as it were, is a common trait in the industrial world—AGL is not an exception,” she said. “However, as new leaders, we expect positive changes towards the progress of your members and the good of the employers.”
She reaffirmed the company’s commitment to dialogue and cooperation, stressing that both sides “cannot divorce each other as partners on the same course.” According to her, AGL recognises the in-house union’s contributions “towards the continuous rolling of the company’s productive wheel of progress.”
The meeting ended on a note of mutual goodwill, with both parties pledging to sustain the existing bond of cooperation and dialogue in the interest of industrial peace and progress in the maritime sector.