Dock workers sue union over move to quit Cotu

Five dock workers have moved to court to block their union from ditching the Central Organisation of Trade Unions for a rival outfit.

Mr Geoffrey Mareko, Mr Clement Libuko, Mr James Mbwabi, Mr Bworu Barisa and Mr Marshal Khayoko say the decision, made at an annual general meeting last October by Dock Workers Union officials and the executive committee to ditch Cotu for the Trade Union Congress (TUC), contravenes the union’s constitution.

They said the meeting at the Kenya Port Authority’s Bandari College was improperly convened by union secretary-general Simon Sang.

“The constitution stipulates that a circular should be sent out 10 days before an annual general meeting or that workers themselves call a special meeting, not the officials,” said Mr Khayoko.

Justice James Rika warned Mr Sang that unless the union files a response within 14 days of service and fails to appear in court, the case will be heard and determined in the union’s absence.

Another member, Mr Mareko, urged the court to block the union from implementing resolutions passed at the meeting pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

NEVER TOOK PLACE

He said the union’s constitution was contravened as such a meeting is normally held in September each year and not in October, as was the case last year.

“Members invited to the special conference at Bandari College did not sanction the claimed change. Voting never took place and we were not given room to ask questions or raise objections,” he said.

Mr Mareko said any dissent during the meeting was met with violence by hired thugs.

“No member was allowed to complain or make a comment on the proceedings,” he said.

During another meeting a fortnight ago, Nation journalist Daniel Nyassy was roughed up by union workers at the Kenya Ports Authority college.