Photo caption: Cluster Director, Human Resources, Continental Hotels Group, Niyi Agoro
Abuja Continental Hotel has told the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that she is ready to dialogue concerning the unionization of members of staff in her employment but because the matter is currently in court and the order of interim injunction restraining all parties to maintain status quo pending its determination, she is abiding by court’s order.
According to a statement by the Cluster Director, Human Resources, Continental Hotels Group, Niyi Agoro, stated that “The attention of the Management of Abuja Continental Hotel has been drawn to various publications and assertions in the media credited to the Trade Union Congress regarding a meeting scheduled for October 12.
“We consider it imperative to place the facts in proper perspective and reassure our workforce, our guests and all stakeholders.
“First and foremost, the welfare, safety, dignity and professional growth of our workers is and remains the foundation of our business. Abuja Continental Hotel is built by its people. We have no policy, written or unwritten, that prohibits staff from exercising their constitutional right to freedom of association, and at no time have we victimized any employee on account of union affiliation. The insinuation that the Hotel is anti-labour is incorrect and does not reflect our history of excellent employer-employee relations and investment in staff welfare, training and well-being.
“Secondly, Abuja Continental Hotel is a law-abiding organization that holds in the highest esteem the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Labour Laws of the Federation, and the institutions of state charged with the maintenance of industrial peace. Following the disruption of our business activities on August 24, and the subsequent patriotic intervention of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment which advised dialogue, we in good faith agreed to a date for engagement.
“Subsequent to that agreement, the subject matter became sub judice before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria. In the enrolled Order of the Court, Paragraph 3 thereof expressly provides as follows: “That an Order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining all parties to maintain the peace and not to take any steps that will jeopardize this suit .”
Agoro further noted that “This Order has been duly served on all relevant parties. As a law-abiding corporate citizen, we cannot and will not take any step that may be construed as overreaching the Court, prejudicing the due administration of justice, or amounting to contempt.”
Accordingly, we are committed to dialogue within the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) channels provided and guaranteed by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria. We hold the respectful view that external interference through meetings convened outside the Court’s ADR framework while the case is pending would prejudice the due administration of justice and violate the spirit of the subsisting Order, he added.
We have formally communicated this legal position, with copies of the enrolled Order, to the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, the relevant security agencies and the leadership of the Trade Union Congress, he said.
For the avoidance of doubt, Abuja Continental Hotel has not abandoned dialogue. Our Company is committed to dialogue within the ADR channels provided and guaranteed by the Court, and we remain ready to participate fully in any process that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria may direct, he added.
Finally, we wish to assure our esteemed guests, clients, corporate partners and the general public that Abuja Continental Hotel is safe, secure and fully operational. Normal business activities continue without hindrance. The security and comfort of every guest in our facility, and the safety of our staff, remain our paramount responsibility, and we have taken all necessary measures with relevant security agencies to ensure uninterrupted, world-class hospitality services.
We appreciate the understanding of all stakeholders and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to industrial peace, obedience to the rule of law, and genuine partnership with our workforce, he said.
