The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and their counterparts in the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike action if an agreement reached with them by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is not honoured.
Speaking during a protest at the headquarters of TCN in Abuja on Tuesday, the NUEE Secretary in charge of Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi Liaison Office, Kolade Ayodele, said TCN’s board, which had the power minister as member, has failed on the promise to honour agreements reached with the unions.
He said, “The action today is happening all over Nigeria, not only in Abuja. It is because we have rules. There is the condition of service that binds the unions and the management together. You can see that the action here is being held by NUEE and SSAEAC.
“There was a directive given by the (TCN) board which contravenes the condition of service and that is why we are here to picket them. This is a warning, for if nothing is being done, tomorrow (Wednesday) we are going to withdraw our services nationwide.
“That means there will be total shutdown. Presently all TCN offices in Nigeria are under lock and key. Today, they wanted to carry the minister’s vehicle but we had already locked the office and we said no. They can’t carry the vehicle, and it is even good because the minister was part of the board.”
According to him, an agreement was reached in 2019 for the Market Operator of TCN to pay some money to the staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, “but they refused to pay the money up till now.”
He added, “The agreement was signed in 2019 and the government directed the Market Operator of TCN to pay, but they have refused. Also, there is an Electricity Reform Act and the Head of Civil Service of the Federation is going against the Act.
“If there is an Act, it supersedes any circular, but the head of service is now bringing a kangaroo circular that those who have worked before in PHCN cannot be employed again.
“When they did the privatisation, those who worked for five years were paid for five years and many of them are still young. So are you saying you don’t want them to work anywhere? These are the main issues.”
Ayodele maintained that the unions will continue to render their services if the government and TCN would accept to do the right thing, adding “ if they refuse to listen today (Tuesday), then by tomorrow (Wednesday) we will have to withdraw our services.”
While he said he could not state the exact amount being owed workers of the union, the NUEE secretary stressed that it is imperative for the parties to honour the agreement of December 2019.
Asked to state how long the strike would last, he replied, “For as long as the issue is not being resolved.”
