Electricity Workers Threatens Strike from Today

By Adedapo Adesanya

Organised labour has directed workers in the power sector to down tools and commence an indefinite strike from Wednesday, August 17 over pending labour issues with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) on Tuesday demonstrated at the headquarters of the TCN in Abuja.

They complained about the alleged failure of the federal government to pay the entitlement of former staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in December 2019.

The aggrieved workers under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) said this is a prelude to an indefinite strike action expected to commence today.

In a circular entitled “call to action”, the General Secretary of NUEE, Mr Joe Ajaero, directed them to ensure total compliance, vowing to paralyse operations of TCN nationwide over what they consider “anti-masses activities.”

This means the nation’s electricity supply crisis could worsen from Wednesday following this decision if an impasse is not reached.

“You are hereby enjoined to mobilise immediately for a serious picketing of TCN Headquarters and stations nationwide over the directive by the TCN Board that all PMs in acting capacity going to AGM must appear for a promotion interview,” the circular read.

“This directive is in contravention of our conditions of service and career progression paths, and unilaterally done without the relevant stakeholders.

‘’This action takes effect from Tuesday 16th August 2022 and total withdrawal of services commences on Wednesday 17th August 2022. Ensure full compliance in all the stations nationwide.”

This will not be the first time electricity workers will threaten to put the nation in darkness. On May 18, the union issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, MD/CEO of the company.

In the circular titled “Unresolved issues on the year 2021 promotion exercise and others,” the union threatened to down tools at the expiration of the ultimatum if its grievances were not addressed.