Abuja Hotel Workers Reject Union Picketing, Cite Voluntary Membership Rules

Workers at Abuja Continental Hotel have publicly distanced themselves from a threatened picketing by the Trade Union Congress (TUC), asserting that the action does not align with their position or interests. A spokesperson for the hotel workers, Comrade Samuel Esiakpoyere, stated that employees enjoy open communication with management and have no reason to pursue industrial action.

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Workers are constitutionally free to decide whether or not to belong to a trade union. We can choose to join or not. It’s not by force. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, guarantees the freedom of association.

Esiakpoyere emphasized that workers are constitutionally free to choose whether or not to join a trade union, referencing Section 40 of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution and Section 12 of the TUC's constitution, both of which recognize the voluntary nature of union membership. "It's not by force," he stated.

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Section 12 of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) constitution also specifically states that membership of the union is voluntary.

The workers expressed satisfaction with their current engagement with the hotel management, citing regular salaries, benefits, HMO coverage, and staff welfare packages. They believe their interests are adequately protected through existing channels and an open-door policy, making participation in any picketing a deliberate decision. They urged the public and guests not to associate them with the planned industrial action.

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For years, we have received our salaries and benefits regularly. We have HMO and other staff welfare packages. Our management operates an open-door policy and we have existing channels to address any concerns.

According to the workers' spokesman, the Abuja Continental Hotel Management respects employees' right to freedom of association and has never prevented, intimidated, or coerced staff in exercising this right. The management holds the TUC and the labor movement in high regard as partners in nation-building and workers' welfare, prioritizing dialogue, mutual respect, and industrial harmony.

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Our management – the Abuja Continental Hotel Management has consistently stated categorically that it fully recognises and respects the right of its employees to freedom of association and has, at no time, prevented, intimidated, coerced, or otherwise sought to influence any staff member in the exercise of their constitutional right to freely associate.