Anti-labour practices: PENGASSAN orders strike at Cameron-Onesubsea

By Omodele Adigun

Following an allegation of anti-labour practices, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has ordered its members at Cameron/Onesubsea Offshore Systems Nigeria Limited to commence an indefinite strike beginning 12:00 am on Tuesday.

The directive was issued by the Assistant General Secretary of PENGASSAN, Port Harcourt Zone, Sere Nwikiabeh.

The union accused the management of frustrating all efforts to resolve outstanding grievances relating to the 2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

“We have exhausted all avenues of negotiation and dialogue, and it has become clear that the management is not willing to engage with us in good faith. In light of this, we have decided to take a more decisive action to protect and defend our members’ rights,” the union said.

The statement, addressed to the branch chairman and secretary of Cameron/Onesubsea Branch, instructed all members to fully comply with the industrial action until the company meets their demands.

“The association hereby directs its members at the Cameron/Onesubsea Branch to embark on a strike action, effective 12:00 am, September 9, 2025, until our demands are met. We are confident that with your solidarity and support, we will be able to achieve our objective and secure the respect that we deserve,” the directive added.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement is a central tool through which unions and management negotiate salaries, benefits, and working conditions. The breakdown of the 2025 CBA talks signals a deep mistrust between the two sides.

The letter, also copied to PENGASSAN’s national president, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Upstream Investment Management Services, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, and the Department of State Services, stressed that the strike was the last resort after repeated appeals for fair labour practices were ignored.

PENGASSAN assured its members that it remained committed to securing improved working conditions, fair treatment, and respect for workers’ rights across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“We expect total compliance from all our members. Together, we will fight for our rights. Solidarity forever,” the union declared.

The dispute at Cameron/Onesubsea, a subsidiary of Schlumberger, highlights ongoing tensions between multinational oil service companies and Nigerian labour unions over welfare, wages, and collective agreements.

PENGASSAN, one of the most influential unions in the oil and gas sector, has a history of using strikes to press for improved conditions for senior staff, often leading to disruptions in operations.

Industrial actions in the oil and gas sector are closely watched, given Nigeria’s heavy reliance on petroleum revenues.

Strikes, especially at service companies like Cameron/Onesubsea that provide technical expertise to offshore operations, can delay projects, disrupt production timelines, and strain investor confidence.

Unless a resolution is reached quickly, the strike could ripple across the upstream sector, adding pressure on regulators and government officials to intervene.