The organised labour in Power sector, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has raised concerns over the unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), even as it warned against alleged indiscriminate transfer of workers without adherence to established procedures or consultation with organised labour in the sector.
As a result, NUEE has instructed its members not to accept any transfer letters pending further directives from the union.
The union has threatened to embark on industrial action if the government, through the TCN, continues to take unilateral actions that infringe upon workers’ rights and terms of service without due process or involvement of labour.
NUEE lamented that several letters sent to the government, through the managing director of TCN, have gone unanswered.
According to the acting general secretary of NUEE, Comrade Dominic Igwebike, “we have been informed that TCN management has begun the indiscriminate transfer of staff without valid justification and without consultation with the union, under the pretext of the planned Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO).
“We recall our earlier correspondence with your management, in which you denied knowledge of any government plans to unbundle TCN. Yet, this same management is now effecting staff transfers without consulting the union—a key stakeholder in the sector—thereby challenging the union’s position.”
Furthermore, Dominic reiterated that, “we have directed all our members not to accept transfer letters or relocate until this matter is discussed and resolved with the union. Your management will be held accountable for all actions and inactions regarding this issue. This is not a threat.”
In an earlier letter to the managing director of TCN, the union stated that: “It is with utmost dismay and concern that we observe the planned unbundling of TCN and the establishment of an Independent System Operator (ISO) by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), without involving the union—a major stakeholder in the sector.”
Similarly, he said, “as a key stakeholder in the sector, we express our dismay at being excluded from discussions and planning processes that will significantly affect the electricity sector and its workforce. The electricity sector unions are expected to work with the government, in accordance with the law, during the unbundling process to ensure best practices.”
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