Electricity workers, PHED differ on retrenchment of 120 staff
Port Harcourt -- The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, SSAEAC, has accused the management of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHED, of planning to retrenched 120 electricity workers in June.
However, the management of the company has denied such plans, describing the allegations raised by the electricity workers' union as surprising.
The Acting General Secretary of SSAEAC, South South Zone, Comrade Innocent Lord-Douglas, explained that the union had been reliably informed that 80 percent of those pencilled down for sack are Rivers indigenes, while the rest are Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa indigenes.
Lord-Douglas also said the union had written to PHED to rescind the decision to sack the 120 staff, especially at a time when things are difficult in the country as a result of COVID-19.
He said: "On the 12th of May 2020, we learnt of the plan by PHED to sack our members, 120 staff. As we speak, the letters are already being prepared and signed, waiting to be dispatched to these staff.
"This is the most difficult period for staff members of PHED. The management has refused signing a condition of service, but rather resort to operate with a manufactured Sanction Grid Code to intimidate workers, a document our union has rejected in totality."
The electricity workers union warned that the management of PHED should be held accountable for any breakdown of law and order in the state, should the company go ahead to issue the sack letters.
Also speaking, the Branch President of SSAEAC at PHED, Mr. Paulinus Aniedi, who said he has been issued a termination letter by the company, accused the management of infringing on the rights of electricity workers.