By Randy Fabi

ABUJA, March 21 (Reuters) - Nigeria's oil unions will meet government officials on Monday in hopes of averting a workers strike over security fears in the restive Niger Delta, a senior union official said on Saturday. Nigeria's white collar workers' union PENGASSAN and its sister group NUPENG have threatened to launch a "three-day warning strike" sometime next week if the government does not take steps to improve working conditions in the oil-rich delta.

The unions have promised to strike several times in the past, but failed to follow through on their threats after government intervention.

"The strike can still be averted. Our intention is not to bring down the Nigerian economy," Mustapha Nuhu Wali, PENGASSAN's deputy national president, told Reuters.

"We want a genuine commitment from the government that they will address the security problem in the Niger Delta."

Senior union members are expected to meet representatives from Nigeria's security agencies early Monday in the capital Abuja.

The unions demand that the government work to gain the release of all kidnapped workers in the Niger Delta, boost security and intelligence in the region, and begin meaningful peace talks that involve all affected parties.

"We want the government to commence discussions with the genuine agitators in the area and improve the situation so our members can go to work there with ease," Wali said.

The Niger Delta, a vast network of mangrove creeks which is home to the Nigerian oil and gas industry, has been plagued by unrest caused by militant groups and community activists who complain they are not seeing their share of oil profits.

The breakdown of law and order has allowed criminal gangs to thrive by kidnapping for ransom and stealing crude.

A fifth of Nigeria's oil production has been shut down for the past three years due to the security situation.

(For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/ ) (Editing by Richard Williams)

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