Strike: AEDC Assures Workers Of Settling Grievances

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has assured its workers to promptly settle all legitimate allowances owed to the staff.

This is following the threat from the workers to shutdown operations.

The managing director/chief executive officer of the AEDC, Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye, made the pledge on Thursday in response to the notice of industrial action served his office by the AEDC Union on Tuesday.

The Union had threatened to resume suspended action over Non-Remittance of Pension deduction for 16 months, Non-Implementation of the National Minimum wage, Non-Promotion and the continuous stagnation of members of staff for over 10 years, Non-Confirmation of staff on Acting Appointment, Non-Regularisation and proper placement of Appointments.

In his response, the MD, Engr. Okwuokenye, said: “Management has been engaging constructively with the union representatives regarding the notice of industrial action. We are committed to ensuring that all legitimate allowances owed to staff are settled promptly, subject to our financial processes and regulatory compliance.

“We have already initiated dialogue with the union leadership to address their concerns transparently and to seek a mutually agreeable resolution. We are confident that, through continued negotiation and open communication, we will find a way to avert any disruption to our operations and to uphold our commitment to the welfare of our employees.

“Our employees are at the heart of all we do and their wellbeing and welfare is paramount to management,” Okwuokenye said.

Others demands made by the workers included, Refusal to convert Ad-hoc staff to permanent status, The complete collapse of health services owing to the non payment of Hospitals bills, Non Remittance of 10 Months PAYE, Refusal to complete the work on Review of Conditions of Service, Non-Implementation of the already completed work on Career Path, Undue Board’s Interference with the Day to Day running of the company, Non-Payment of union check off dues and other third party deductions and Non-Payment of 2024 Productivity Bonus.

In a notice dated June 3, 2025, signed by the Union’s Assistant General Secretary, Liaison, Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, the workers said it reached an agreement with the Management on 27th of November, 2024 to suspend an industrial action following a Trade Dispute declared over lingering labour issues in the company.

The Union reminded the MD that workers, within the last 90 Days have raised the company’s collection by over N95 billion.

The milestone, they said, was achieved through dedicated services without the provision of necessary working materials. Noting, it has significantly lost a huge number of members to death owing to pressure and precarious work conditions.

Consequently, notified of its readiness to resume the suspended action on the 27th November, 2024, and this shall commence anytime from the date of the receipt of this letter without an additional notice.

“Councils are by this letter directed and put on notice to commence full mobilization across the AEDC franchise areas of Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and FCT for an effective action. The struggle shall be sustained until victory is achieved, as a people united can never be defeated,” the letter read.