Following the sack of 400 National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, members last Friday, the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, SSAEAC, and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, have threatened to shut down the Egbin power station along with all other power plants across the country.
Aggrieved NUEE, SSAEAC and NUPENG bodies have since issued a seven day ultimatum to the management of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IKEDC, to recall the affected workers including the Deputy President of NUEE or face a striking protest by its members.
NUPENG in the ultimatum handed down revealed it had already directed members at the Nigerian Gas Company, NGC, to commence shutdown of gas supplies to the thermal station an plants if the distribution company failed to recall the sacked workers by the end of the ultimatum period.
In the ultimatum, NUEE and SSAEAC expressed dissatisfaction with the management of the electricity distribution company stating that since its takeover on November 1, 2013, the management had failed to put in place a mechanism to ensure the joint benefit of both staff and management.
Listing the grievances against the IKEDC, the union said; “Union then demanded to know the parameters being used, and management agreed to invite the headship of the union to confidentially show them the parameters being used and how the assessment is being done. Unfortunately, up till today, when management has gone ahead to disengage another batch of about 400 of our members, no invitation has been extended to the union. This is an exhibition of disrespect to the unions, contrary to best labour practices.
The Union added in the ultimatum; “Arising from the above enumerated anti-labour behaviours therefore, the union hereby issues you seven days to address all these demands or we will be left with no alternative than to take legitimate means of defending the interests of our members and this shall be without further notice,”
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