BY LEVI JOHNSON
Nigeria electricity workers under the umbrella of Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) has threatened to proceed on strike over the unlawful sack of its President, Dr Chris Okonkwo,
It added that another reason why the union must embark on industrial strike is to protest the anti-labour activities of the management of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
Recall that Umar Mohammed, the Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had on April 24 issued the letter dismissing Chris 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.”
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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 machinery 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 the status quo.
He appealed for caution, adding that the union was keen on a harmonious working relationship with the government.
