There are indications that the nation’s electricity supply crisis might worsen from Wednesday, as Organized Labour has directed workers in the Power sector to down tools and commence an indefinite strike over pending Labour issues with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN.
Under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees, (NUEE), as a prelude to the industrial action, the aggrieved workers are scheduled to picket the Abuja national Headquatres of TCN Today.
In a circular by the General Secretary of NUEE, Joe Ajaero, titled: “Call for Action”, to Senior Assistant General Secretaries and Zonal Organising Secretaries dated August 15, 2022; Labour said: “You are hereby enjoined to mobilise immediately for serious picketing of TCN Headquarters and Stations nationwide over the directive by the TCN Board that all Principal Managers, PMs, in acting capacity going to Assistant General Managers, AGM, must appear for a promotion interview. This directive is in contravention of our Conditions of Service and Career Progression Paths, and unilaterally done without the relevant Stakeholders.”
Another grievance of the workers is perceived “stigmatisation of Staff from the office of the Head of Service, HoS, of the Federation from working in other areas in the Power Sector, and the refusal of the Market Operator to fund the payment of entitlement of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Ex-PHCN, Staff as agreed in December 2019 agreement after an industrial action by the Union.”
According to the circular stated that the action (picketing of TCN headquarters) takes effect from Tuesday 16, August 2022 and total withdrawal of services commences on Wednesday 17, August 2022.
The circular urged all appropriate officials of the Union to ensure full compliance in all the stations nationwide.
Recall that the Union had on May 18, 2022, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, MD\CEO, titled “Unresolved issues on the year 2021 promotion exercise and others, threatened to down tool at the expiration of the ultimatum if its grievances were not addressed.
