Union wants ExxonMobil facility in Niger Delta closed down

(FILES) An Exxon sign is seen at a station in this September 20, 2008 file photo in Manassas, Virginia. US oil giant ExxonMobil on July 31, 2014 reported higher second-quarter profits despite pumping less oil and gas than it did a year ago. Exxon, the biggest US oil company and the second-largest US company in terms of market capitalization after Apple, said earnings came in at $8.8 billion, up 28 percent from the year-ago level. "ExxonMobil's financial results were achieved through strong operational performance and portfolio management," said chief executive Rex Tillerson. "We continue to enhance shareholder value by funding capital projects and delivering robust shareholder returns through dividends and share purchases." Results translated into earnings per share of $2.05, 19 cents above analyst forecasts.AFP PHOTO/Karen BLEIER/FILESKAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

A Nigerian labor union on today called for the close down of all ExxonMobil Corp facilities in the Niger Delta, a union representative said.

Reuters was unable to independently verify whether union members had shut down the company’s facilities.

Oil industry sources said there had been no impact on production.

Madubuezi Azubuike, who chairs the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in Rivers state, said the call followed the breakdown of talks with the company over sackings and was part of a strike that began last week.

“We have called for the shutdown of all Mobil facilities across the Delta today,” he said.

The industrial action is in protest at the sacking of 150 workers in December, of which 82 were PENGASSAN members.

“No resolution has been reached so far. We have had meetings with top management of the union and Mobil executives, but with no avail over issues,” Azubuike said.

The strike will target the oil company’s wells, said Chika Onuegbu, another PENGASSAN official.

An ExxonMobil spokesman said: “We respect the rights of our workforce and will continue to engage with them to resolve this situation but remain committed to the safety of our personnel and security of our facilities.”

Strikes by Exxon workers in Nigeria at the end of last year did affect output, delaying loadings by weeks.

Nigerian labor unions have held a number of strikes in the last few months over the dismissal of oil industry workers.

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