Nigeria's main oil worker unions to start strike on Dec 15

YENAGOA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigeria's two main oil worker unions will begin an indefinite nation-wide strike starting on Dec. 15, the unions said on Sunday. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) said the strike would affect all levels of oil and gas operations from production to distribution. The unions frequently threaten strikes but do not follow through. A strike in September caused little disruption to Africa's biggest oil producer. Natural gas supplies through the West Africa Gas Pipeline (WAPCO) from Nigeria to Ghana were briefly halted but not long enough to hurt the economy. The workers are protesting over the government's inability to effectively maintain the country's refineries and reduce prices at the pump in line the 45 percent slump in global oil prices. They are also aiming to push the government to evolve new ways of combating pipeline vandalism and oil theft.