By Victor Ahiuma-Young

ORGANISED Labour in the nation’s Power sector and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IKeja DISCO, are heading towards a fresh showdown over the termination of employment of some workers.

It will be recalled that last year, the management and Labour were involved in a confrontation over similar matter which resulted in the picketing and crippling of the operations of the company for days.

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The latest row came up after the management of IKDC  last month sacked about five workers with labour rejecting their sack, describing their sack as illegal and demanded for their recall to avoid industrial unrest.

In fact, the seven ultimatums given to the distribution company by Organised Labour on the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, demanding for recall of the five workers has expired without their recall.

But the management of the distribution company is insisting that the employment of the affected workers remained terminated, saying its contractual relationship with the affected workers had been disengaged effective August 17, 2017.

However, in a letter to the management of Ikeja DISCO titled “Wrongful termination of appointment of our members/issuance of 7 day notice to recall them, said: “We would like to refer to your memo dated August 17, 2017 (photocopy attached) as it relates to the wrongful termination of Appointment of our members. Recall that in the afternoon of the 17th August, 2017, the Chief HR and Admin officer (Mrs. Ibiene Okeleke) put a call through to the Assistant General Secretary, Lagos/Ogun NUEE, Comrade R. M Kedee to inform him that Management has concluded plans to disengage 5 of our members for poor performance.

“Recall that Comrade Elder (AGS) appealed to Ibiene to hold onto the matter and call for an emergency meeting with the Union to discuss the matter and ascertain the veracity in the claim of management but management but management would not oblige. We were not therefore surprised to achieve this mail under reference from management later in the evening confirming the sack of the above listed members.

“Management’s attitude amounts to gross disrespect to organises Labour as we were not again consulted before our members were disengaged.  The Union views this development as an affront and violation of the right of our members.

Accordingly, the Union hereby issues a 7-Day Notice management to recall them, failure which we shall not be able to guarantee industrial peace in your establishment. This should be our first and last correspondence with you on this matter.”

Responding to the notice, IKEDC, noted that “the right of Management to disengage the affected four members of your Union was exercised in accordance with the law governing employer-employee contractual relationship.

Management exercised this right in good faith and is surprised at the position taken in your letter; considering the fact that management concurrently promoted 97 members of staff 80% of which are members of your Union.

“You will recall that there are cases pending in court against your Union particularly in suit No. NICN/LA/228/2016 Ikeja Electric Plc Vs.  National Union of Electricity Employees & 4 others where Ikeja Electric is challenging the legality of the Union embarking on strikes, picketing and other forms of industrial actions contrary to laid down laws and procedures.

“Specifically, the application for interlocutory injunction filled by Ikeja Electric against the Unions has been argued and same adjourned for ruling before Him.  Justice Obaseki-Osaghae of the National Industrial Court, Lagos.

We therefore urge you to be prudent and refrain from taking any action including strikes or picketing that may prejudice the outcome of the filed cases.

We do not believe there is any basis to escalate matters further beyond where they are in view of the progress we have made working together.

We shall however take renewed steps if necessary to seek all forms of redress available to us within the machinery of the State and it’s already informed law enforcers if pushed to do so.”

It added that “Ikeja Electric will continue to encourage its staff to grow in line with their chosen professional career path.  We shall also not relent in our efforts to ensure that we deliver quality service to the General public.”