Workers seconded to Abuja Continental Hotel by various outsourcing firms have dissociated themselves from a planned picketing of the facility by the Trade Union Congress (TUC), saying the action does not represent their interests.
The workers’ position followed a warning by Festus Osifo, TUC president, that hotels allegedly preventing employees from unionising could face industrial action.
Osifo had specifically mentioned Abuja Continental Hotel while accusing its management of restricting workers from organising and warned that organised labour could picket the facility.
However, the workers, through their spokesperson, Samuel Esiakpoyere, said they had deliberately chosen not to participate in any picketing, stressing that union membership was voluntary.
Esiakpoyere, in a statement on Sunday, said workers were constitutionally free to decide whether to belong to a trade union.
“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,” he said.
He also cited Section 12 of the TUC constitution, which he said recognises the voluntary nature of union membership.
The workers said they had no reason to support industrial action because they currently receive their salaries and benefits regularly and have access to healthcare and other welfare packages.
“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,” Esiakpoyere said.
He said the employees were satisfied with their relationship with the hotel management and believed their interests were adequately protected.
“Our decision not to participate in any picketing is deliberate. We urge the public and our guests not to associate us with the planned industrial action,” he said.
The workers also rejected allegations that the hotel management had prevented employees from exercising their right to freedom of association.
According to Esiakpoyere, the management had consistently maintained that it recognised and respected employees’ constitutional right to associate freely.
He said management had not prevented, intimidated, coerced or influenced workers in exercising the right.
The workers’ spokesperson said the management also respected the TUC and the wider labour movement, describing organised labour as an important partner in protecting workers’ welfare.
“The management holds the Trade Union Congress and the entire labour movement in the highest regard as critical partners in nation-building and workers’ welfare. It also believes in dialogue, mutual respect and industrial harmony,” he said.
Esiakpoyere said the workers had confidence in the management’s commitment to their welfare, career development and aspirations.
He added that the relationship had contributed to efforts to reposition the hotel as a major hospitality destination in the Federal Capital Territory.
The workers assured guests and business partners that the threatened industrial action would not disrupt operations at the hotel.
“The management has remained open to any engagement with us and has continued to provide a conducive, safe and rewarding work environment where every employee can thrive,” he said.
“We will continue to ensure that the hotel operates normally and we assure all guests, partners and stakeholders of uninterrupted world-class service,” he added.
The development comes amid a broader dispute over unionisation in Nigeria’s hospitality sector, with organised labour pushing for greater access to workers, while some employees and employers maintain that workplace concerns can be addressed through existing internal channels.
