The Trade Union Congress in Rivers State has accused the management of Totalenergies of promoting unfair labour practices against its members.

This came as members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria branch of Totalenergies stormed the premises of the oil and gas firm in Port Harcourt on Wednesday in a peaceful protest over alleged anti-labour practices.

Also, PENGASSAN members of Fedoz also staged a similar protest at the company premises in Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt over alleged disengagement of some workers without due process.

Addressing the protesters at the Totalenergies, the State TUC Chairman, Ikechukwu Onyefurum, expressed sadness that the company allegedly violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement labour entered with it.

Onyefuru, further said that the union will not relent in fighting for improved welfare for the workers.

He stated, “Total has decided to continue championing anti-labour practices. Total has decided to remain on the path of unfair labour practice that is not known in any book.

“Comrades for 2023, Total budgeted our salaries and their operations activities especially for our salaries, they budgeted naira and heard in dollars.”

At the Fedoz Nigeria Limited in Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt, the TUC Chairman warned the company’s management against what he termed draconian labour practices.

Onyefuru stated that the union would deploy all legal means to get the companies to do what is right.

According to him, “That Fedox woke up one morning and decided to sack our members without following due process. We know that you cannot force a willing employee to an unwilling employer and vice versa.

“But we have a Collective Bargaining Agreement that outlines conditions, the processes and the procedure to follow when an employer decides to do away with some employees.

“And Fedoz ignored it and decided to violate and breach the CBA we have with them. That will not be accepted.”