Kano Electric Workers Threaten Strike

 The Nigerian power sector employees have sent the management of Kano Electricity Distribution Company, KEDCO, DisCo, a 14-day strike notice over unremitted deducted pension, among other issues.

The workers threatened to shut down the distribution company’s activities under the auspices of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) if the management did not act responsibly.

In a petition to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, which copied the Director-General, Directorate of State Service, and General Secretary of NUEE, Joe Ajaero, the union decried management’s persistent refusal to remit the third party deductions and its flagrant disregard for agreements reached with the union on outstanding Labour issues.

The notice partly read, “At a meeting held on March 30, 2022, between the Union and KEDCO management over delay in implementing the report of the committee highlighted above alongside promotion related- issues; the management promised to commence payment without delay.

“Again, KEDCO management failed to live up to its agreement to commence payment of third party deduction and effect payment of new salaries to promoted staff without delay. The union expressed its disappointment via memo NUEE/ZOS/KD/2022/170 dated April 15, 2022.

“You will also recall that an emergency meeting, which coincided with the visit of the national officers of the union, was held on April 21, 2022, during which you promised to pay, yet to no avail.

“Still in the spirit of having industrial harmony and understanding, officials of the union led by the Vice-President (North/West) reached out to the CCSO on June 1, 2022, to address these issues. Management promised to ensure payment as soon as the CFO returns from an official trip to Abuja.

“Unfortunately, it appears that the CFO has refused to return from Abuja, as about 12 months’ union dues, 12 months’ staff cooperative, 56 months’ contributory pension arrears, just to mention a few, have not been remitted, and other labor issues unaddressed till date.”