TCN Advises TUC, SSAEAC Against Embarking On Industrial Action To Avoid Contempt Of Court

Managing Director TCN, Mohammed Usman

The management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has urged the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Company (SSAEAC) to shelve their planned industrial action following expiration of earlier ultimatum as the issues under contention are already before National Industrial Court, Abuja for arbitration.

Further, TCN advised the unions not to jump the gun by embarking on acts that will amount to contempt of court as TUC and SSAEAC had been duly served with the court processes.

In a statement by the TCN General Manager (Public Affairs), Mrs Ndidi Mbah, the management reminded TUC and SSAEAC that should there be breach of peace, law and order due to their insistence on embarking on the planned action, they would be held responsible.

According to the statement, “TCN noted that issues for which the TUC has ill-advisedly declared an industrial action are already subject to a Court Action before the National Industrial Court Abuja Division, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/121/19, which processes have already been served the TUC.

“The matter is sub judice and TCN is constrained, by respect for the Courts, to refrain from divulging further details, except to enjoin the Parties to this pending action – the TUC and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Company (SSAEAC), to show utmost respect to the hallowed institution of the Court by maintaining the status quo. Nigeria is a country governed by laws and what the parties should do when their matter is before a Court of law is to ventilate their grievances in the Courtroom.

“The TUC and SSAEAC are lawful organizations and having been served with the processes in the aforementioned suit, TCN believes that TUC should honourably and respectfully act within the ambits of the Rule of Law, by calling off or suspending the planned Industrial Action, whilst submitting themselves to the Court jurisdiction.

“TCN is also drawing the attention of Police authorities to the aforementioned and hereby invite them to take proactive measures to forestall any breach of public peace or breakdown of law and order, in the unlikely event that TUC insists on proceeding with its planned actions.

“TCN has put the TUC on Notice that should they decide to continue on this unlawful path, they certainly would be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order or any untoward occurrences that may result.”