FG, Electricity Workers Seal Deal, Strike Suspended

FG, Electricity Workers Seal Deal, Strike Suspended

 

 

 

Electricity workers yesterday called off their strike following the intervention of the Federal Government through the Ministry of Power.

 

The industrial action, embarked upon by members of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), had grounded operations of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) over welfare and operational demands.

 

After a marathon meeting in Abuja, the unions agreed to suspend the strike, paving the way for the restoration of power supply across the country.

 

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by representatives of the Ministers of Power and Labour, the Managing Directors of TCN and the National Independent System Operator (NISO), as well as leaders of the two unions.

 

Among the resolutions reached was the directive for the unions to review a committee’s report on their grievances between October 6 and 7, with implementation expected to commence within the month.

 

The MoU also mandated TCN and NISO to jointly assess the financial implications of the report and prepare an implementation plan for submission to the minister and labour leaders.

 

Other outstanding issues are to be addressed in subsequent meetings between the parties, while the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was directed to fast-track tariff reviews for TCN and NISO to support the implementation process.

 

The agreement further assured that no worker would be victimised for participating in the strike.

 

The unions said they suspended their action “to allow the resolutions to be activated.”

 

NUEE and SSAEAC had earlier issued an ultimatum to TCN management which lapsed on September 23, demanding the implementation of the national minimum wage, provision of working tools and payment of outstanding salaries.