By Emmanuel M. Kangar, Jr.
MARGIBI COUNTY — A major leadership crisis has erupted within the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (FAWUL) after forty of the union’s fifty-seven workplace representatives voted to pass a “Vote of No Confidence” in the union’s chairman, Rodennick M. Bongorlee.
The representatives accused Bongorlee of failing to effectively lead the union and outlined eight counts against him, including alleged lack of accountability, loss of representative status, conflict of interest, failure to support union solidarity, undermining the union’s position, obstruction of union activities, nepotism, and disregard for collective decisions.
Speaking on a local radio station in Margibi County, workplace representative Joe Kokollie said the chairman no longer enjoys the confidence of workers, adding that many members feel betrayed by the union’s leadership. Kokollie also voiced support for the union’s co-chair, Winston Ford, whom he described as having the backing of the majority of workplace representatives.
The tension within the union follows the recent redundancy of Ford along with seven employees from the Community Affairs Department of Firestone Liberia. The decision has sparked controversy among workers, with many interpreting the move as an attempt to weaken Ford’s reported bid for the union’s chairmanship.
Several workplace representatives have further accused Chairman Bongorlee of siding with company management against members of the union’s leadership.
Responding to the vote of no confidence, Bongorlee said he respects the decision of his colleagues but called for due process in addressing the allegations against him.
Speaking via telephone, Bongorlee confirmed receiving the communication outlining the complaints. However, he stressed the need for an independent review of the matter.
“I have received the letter and seen the counts, but I would appreciate an independent body to review the process through due process,” Bongorlee said.
“I have always been accountable to my members and I report annually as required by the constitution of the union.”
Meanwhile, Cooper W. Kruah, Sr., Liberia’s Labour Minister, has reportedly recommended that Firestone Liberia company suspend the planned redundancy of Winston Ford.
In a communication addressed to the company, Minister Kruah said the Ministry of Labour’s recommendation was based on investigations and observations suggesting that Ford’s dismissal at this time could trigger industrial unrest at Firestone.
The unfolding dispute has raised concerns about growing divisions within one of Liberia’s prominent labor unions and the potential impact on industrial harmony at the Firestone plantation.
