2 electricity unions sign workers’ service conditions pact

The two unions in the electricity sector and the management of Ikeja Electric on Tuesday signed a new condition of service to improve the working condition of staff.

The two unions are the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC).

The General Secretary of NUEE, Mr Joe Ajaero, who addressed the workers after signing the agreement, said the agreement was the first phase and that the major issue was the implementation of the agreement.

”The signing of condition of service for workers in Ikeja Electricity company is the first phase.

“It is the duty of the union to enforce compliance. No matter how good a condition of service is, there must be implementation.”

Ajaero said workers had been sacked and their rights abused but that such would no longer happen with the new condition of service.

The unionist said the next stage was to negotiate for an increase in salary for the workers.

He, however, advised the workers to be more productive, noting that workers would begin to get their rightful entitlements with the agreement.

”Now, any employer that asks a worker to do any job beyond office hour will pay the right allowance. Days of slave labour is over. Any worker that is sacked today will be paid the right entitlement,” he stated.

He said with the new condition of service, workers would no longer be threatened in their jobs.

The President of SSAEAC, Dr Chris Okonkwo, said it took the unions five years of negotiation for the condition of service agreement to be signed.

Okonkwo said workers would no longer be scared of being sacked because the agreement took care of the legal and industrial relations aspects.

He said Ikeja Electric was now ready to work with the unions, stressing that the unions would soon visit other electricity companies involved in anti-labour activities.

The Managing Director/Chief and Executive Officer of Ikeja Electric, Mr Anthony Youdeowei, and the company’s Chief Human Resource and Administration Officer, Mr Henry Ajibola, signed the agreement on behalf of the management of Ikeja Electric.

Youdeowei said the agreement was for the interest of both parties because it would ensure industrial peace and boost productivity.

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