The National Union of Nigeria Welders (NUNIWE) has warned of a looming industrial crisis involving Topek Engineering and Consultancy Services Nigeria Limited and Ruth’rford Service Limited, accusing the companies of refusing to engage its recognised Kogi State leadership over the welfare and employment of welders working on their project in the state.

NUNIWE, in a statement signed by its National President, Peters Iniobong JP, and General Secretary, Dele Hunsu, alleged that both companies had repeatedly declined invitations to meet with the union despite several attempts to initiate dialogue and resolve issues surrounding the welding component of the project.

According to the union, the companies are currently executing a project in Kogi State requiring the services of qualified welders but have allegedly proceeded with Welding Qualification Tests (WQT) based on a list submitted by Bamikole Johnson, whom the union said is currently suspended for alleged gross indiscipline.

NUNIWE alleged that Johnson had continued dealing with the companies despite his suspension and was operating through an organisation it described as unregistered and illegal, the Okun Professional Welders Union Community.
The union said the development amounted to an attempt to bypass and undermine the duly constituted NUNIWE leadership in Kogi State, led by Buhari Muhammed.

NUNIWE further alleged that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kogi State office, had intervened in the dispute by inviting the union and the affected companies to a meeting aimed at achieving an amicable resolution.

However, the union claimed that Topek and Ruth’rford refused to honour the ministry’s invitation.

The development, NUNIWE warned, could worsen tensions at the project site and create conditions that could disrupt industrial peace.

The union said the companies’ alleged actions violated the principles of collective bargaining and could lead to factionalisation within the union and a breakdown of industrial harmony.

NUNIWE therefore demanded that the managements of Topek Engineering and Consultancy Services and Ruth’rford Service immediately begin discussions with the recognised Kogi State leadership of the union and stop dealing with Johnson on matters concerning welders engaged on the project.

It also demanded that the companies urgently honour the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment’s invitation and meet with the union leadership to resolve the dispute.

The union further called for the immediate suspension of the ongoing Welding Qualification Tests allegedly being conducted through Johnson until the dispute is resolved.

NUNIWE appealed to relevant government agencies to intervene and call the companies to order, warning that continued refusal to engage the recognised union leadership could cause the situation to degenerate.

The union said it had exercised restraint and pursued an amicable resolution but would not allow what it described as illegality to continue unchecked.

“We shall exercise all legitimate means within our constitutional rights to bring these companies and their cohorts to book,” the union stated.

NUNIWE maintained that industrial peace could only be guaranteed where there was equity, justice and respect for established labour relations procedures.

The Guardian’s efforts to reach both organisations were unsuccessful, as calls placed were not answered.