TUC/SSAEAC: Picketing TCN Corporate Headquarters Flops As Staff Resists Attempt

L-R: President of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Secretary General, Trade Union Congress, Bar. Musa Lawal in discussion to shelve picketing TCN on Monday

By CLEMENT NWOJI, Abuja

The planned picketing of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) by the Trade Union Congress and the National executive of Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) flopped on Monday as the TCN staff resisted attempts to disrupt routine work at the Corporate headquarters, Abuja.

This was despite rented protesters, who were apparently market women and touts contracted by the National executive of the SSAEAC and TUC, conveyed to the TCN premises at about 7.30 am.

They were however, overwhelmed by the members of SSAEAC TCN branch who ensured that every staff goes ahead with their schedule of duties unperturbed just as they SSAEAC branch executive manned the security gate and disallowed entry to anyone with picketing agenda.

They accused the SSAEAC National President, Comrade Chris Okonkwo of misinforming the TUC and instigating the protest for selfish interest and attacking the TCN management for no just cause.

Further, they accused Comrade Okonkwo of violation of SSAEAC constitution, high handedness and corruption, among others.

While addressing the Secretary General, Trade Union Congress, Bar. Musa Lawal who was at scene to enforce the failed picketing, TCN SSAEAC branch Chairman, Comrade Abidemi Dairo, said that the branch members want peace to continue their work.

According to him, “At the inception, we had told him that we want peace but instead, he took us to National Industrial Court, Abuja, where he lost the case. The ruling was in favour of TCN branch.

“He illegally suspended the TCN branch of SSAEAC using those that are not strong financial members. This is TCN, we are here to work and to work is the primary reason we are here.

“We have a constitution, our constitution says in rule 32 (12) that one of our primary aim is to maintain harmonious working relationship with the organization where we work. And we can only do this when there is peace and definitely there will be increased productivity; and definitely you know what follows.

“To cut the long story short, we want peace; Chris Okonkwo is the problem we have. As I speak to you, the entire TCN members of SSAEAC have taken a resolution regiona by region declaring him as not representing the interest of TCN branch.

“He is fighting the management for no just cause. We receive our salaries as at when due. In June last year, we received our salaries on the 13th of the month. It is on record.

“Now, the Transmission Company of Nigeria that used to be one of the weakiest link in the electricity power ring has now become one of the strongest.

What do we have to do? To consolidate these efforts not because of us but because of the masses and children unborn.

Also speaking, the President of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, maintained that his purpose of coming was to dialogue with the management in order to resolve any existing grievances.

He said: “What we are saying is that we want a situation where we have a round table discussion of these issues as the only way out. We will be coming here until the we have a dialogue with the management

On his part, the Secretary General, Trade Union Congress, Bar. Musa Lawal, said: “We have issues between the management and the National, between the National and the branch executives. Those are the issues we are deliberating here.We are here to make peace and we are not here to make trouble.

“We are here peacefully and when we have the opportunity, we will sit and discuss because at the end of the day, it is also sitting round the table to discuss that will resolve the matter.

“We are not here to destroy any property. We are senior staff and as we are here, we protect the property of the management.”