-By Victoria Opeyemi
The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), has threatened to embark on a fresh strike following the unlawful sack of its President, Dr. Chris Okonkwo, and other anti-labour activities of the management of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
It will be recalled that the Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Umar Mohammed, issued letter of dismissal to Okonkwo bringing him at loggerheads with the union.
Okonkwo was the company’s General Manager, Special Duties.
According to the letter sent to Okonkwo, “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.”
However, Abubakar Dubagari, General Secretary of the association said the union will not accept what it termed as an unlawful dismissal hence TCN should reverse the threat.
The union vowed to mobilize all legal and industrial machineries 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 status quo.
Dubagari appealed for caution, adding that the union was keen on harmonious working relationship with the government and the dismissal of Okonkwo does not augur well for the electricity union without due process.
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