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19 August, 2009
SEWUN IMF affiliates from Nigeria since 2005, is a product of a merger of 5 small unions since 2000, the union has not yet been able to concretely integrate the staff members and to consolidate the union structures. Presently, there are 45 staff members servicing 28 000 members. This ratio imbalance is problematic for the union in terms of the needs of workers. Some of the causes of the union's problems include weak union structures, lack of coherent union strategy, lack of trained leadership and staff, unable to deal with new challenges and resistance by the old leadership to adapt to new realities. The effects of these problems are shown in low union membership, unsustainable union strategy, lack of resources to service members, lack of influence on the industry in the labour movement and lack of perspective and action plan to build up the union.
The Nigerian government has recently passed laws that encourage the establishment of other national centres and unions. In June 2007, a strategic planning meeting was held in Lagos, Nigeria for SEWUN [Steel and Engineering Workers Union of Nigeria]. Key outcomes were the need for strong leadership and for SEWUN to organise and build strong structures to service members, or else the union might lose members to small and right wing unions. Other outcomes included the set up of a Constitutional Review Committee to look into the development and contribution of each sector within the union.
In October 2007 an evaluation meeting was arranged with NUMSA, IMF, Finnish Metall and SASK to assess how far SEWUN has progressed in terms of a project that had been established to assist SEWUN. However, representatives found SEWUN in crisis. Division amongst the leadership into two factions and the lack of trust, accountability and transparency lay at the core of the issue.
IMF and NUMSA tried to assist the factions to resolve the problems that had resulted in the division of the union and it was also necessary for the Registrar of Trade Unions to become involved.
After much discussions an agreement emerged that provided space for the unanimous resolution of the crisis in SEWUN with the following provisions:
1) The leadership that has been dismissed through the crisis should be re-instated.
2) All posts created during the crisis should be dissolved
3) There is agreement that there is only ONE Metal Sector within SEWUN
4) All resolutions reached by both parties in the wake of the crisis stand dissolved
5) All parties should work together, in true cooperation, for the improved growth of the union and to provide effective services for members
Some of the recommendations from NUMSA and the IMF that emerged from the meeting are as follows:
a) The unions should have weekly meetings because meetings are important to keep abreast of new developments within the union and even though not everybody will be available for weekly meetings, the meetings should be recorded [notes taken] so that people can have access to the proceedings.
b) The outcomes of these meetings must be conveyed to the IMF for progress purposes
c) Correspondence to the regional office must be done on a monthly basis
d) Communication between leadership needs to be improved
e) The Constitutional Review Committee process needs to be speeded up with resource, external experienced person required to assist within this process by the IMF
f) All parties should be committed to the agreement and the resolutions need to be adopted with immediate effect
There was agreement between NUMSA, Finnish Metall, SASK and the IMF that the problems within SEWUN can, with hard work and commitment, be solved and that the unity that the agreement provides for, is one that can be achieved.
Such factions in leadership does not serve the best interest of workers that can only benefit from strong united representation. it is hoped that this will be a lasting resolution that will serve to strengthen SEWUN for metalworkers in Nigeria
The Nigerian government has recently passed laws that encourage the establishment of other national centres and unions. In June 2007, a strategic planning meeting was held in Lagos, Nigeria for SEWUN [Steel and Engineering Workers Union of Nigeria]. Key outcomes were the need for strong leadership and for SEWUN to organise and build strong structures to service members, or else the union might lose members to small and right wing unions. Other outcomes included the set up of a Constitutional Review Committee to look into the development and contribution of each sector within the union.
In October 2007 an evaluation meeting was arranged with NUMSA, IMF, Finnish Metall and SASK to assess how far SEWUN has progressed in terms of a project that had been established to assist SEWUN. However, representatives found SEWUN in crisis. Division amongst the leadership into two factions and the lack of trust, accountability and transparency lay at the core of the issue.
IMF and NUMSA tried to assist the factions to resolve the problems that had resulted in the division of the union and it was also necessary for the Registrar of Trade Unions to become involved.
After much discussions an agreement emerged that provided space for the unanimous resolution of the crisis in SEWUN with the following provisions:
1) The leadership that has been dismissed through the crisis should be re-instated.
2) All posts created during the crisis should be dissolved
3) There is agreement that there is only ONE Metal Sector within SEWUN
4) All resolutions reached by both parties in the wake of the crisis stand dissolved
5) All parties should work together, in true cooperation, for the improved growth of the union and to provide effective services for members
Some of the recommendations from NUMSA and the IMF that emerged from the meeting are as follows:
a) The unions should have weekly meetings because meetings are important to keep abreast of new developments within the union and even though not everybody will be available for weekly meetings, the meetings should be recorded [notes taken] so that people can have access to the proceedings.
b) The outcomes of these meetings must be conveyed to the IMF for progress purposes
c) Correspondence to the regional office must be done on a monthly basis
d) Communication between leadership needs to be improved
e) The Constitutional Review Committee process needs to be speeded up with resource, external experienced person required to assist within this process by the IMF
f) All parties should be committed to the agreement and the resolutions need to be adopted with immediate effect
There was agreement between NUMSA, Finnish Metall, SASK and the IMF that the problems within SEWUN can, with hard work and commitment, be solved and that the unity that the agreement provides for, is one that can be achieved.
Such factions in leadership does not serve the best interest of workers that can only benefit from strong united representation. it is hoped that this will be a lasting resolution that will serve to strengthen SEWUN for metalworkers in Nigeria