Nigerian Electricity Workers Threaten Strike

The electricity workers under the umbrella of Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) has threatened to embark on a fresh strike following what it described as the unlawful sack of its President, Dr. Chris Okonkwo, and other anti-labour activities of the management of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

 

The Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Umar Mohammed, had on April 24 issued the letter dismissing Okonkwo.

 

Okonkwo was the company’s General Manager, Special Duties.

 

The letter reads:

 

“After servicing TCN for a period of about six years, please be informed that your political posting had lapsed by June 11, 2018 and you should have ceased from coming to work from June 12, 2018. Consequently, you are to stop coming to work with immediate effect.”

 

According to a statement by the General Secretary of the association, Abubakar Dubagari, the union warned the TCN to reverse the threat.

 

The union vowed to mobilize all legal and industrial machineries at their disposal to resume pending industrial action.

 

They declared that the termination of the appointment was not within the prerogative of Mohammed.

 

The official said it should be within the purview of the Minister of Power, subject to laid down rules and procedures.

 

“His appointment, like any other employee of TCN, was anchored on the public service rules of 60 years of age or 35 years of service and does not carry tenure. His service with TCN cannot be said to have lapsed since June 11, 2018,” Dubagari said.

 

The scribe recalled that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Ministry of Power, Trade Unions Congress of (TUC) and other bodies intervened.

 

SSAEAC reminded TCN that parties were advised to maintain status quo.

 

He appealed for caution, adding that the union was keen on harmonious working relationship with the government.