By The World Satellite.
As an aftermath of myriad of disagreements including a cry out by the Electricity Workers Union alleging plans by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) to sack over one hundred and twenty staffs and failure of the management to sign staff condition of services; PHED staff has been assured of better working relationship, as management issues condition of services.
President General, Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies; Comrade Chris Okonkwo, who made this known to newsmen in Port Harcourt shortly after the exchange of staff condition of services between the Union and PHED Management stated that workers of PHED has now been officially employed after seven years working as casuals.
Our Correspondent gathered that PHED Management has before now, been relating to its staff based on Company policy, rather than the condition of services applicable to Labour law, which has deprived Electricity workers their rights; but with the signing of Condition of Services, the Union has broken all obstacles to making sure Electricity workers get the basis of employment.
“Before now, staff have no right and we’re been cheated, the Company was doing things based on their own initiative not based on agreement, because there was no agreement. PHED was using what they call Company policy sacking staff anyhow and no staff right to enforce.
“It was a battle for these seven years and we believe by signing the staff condition of services today, we have overcome challenges of unjust treatment meted out on the Company workers,” Comrade Okonkwo noted.
Furthermore, while urging Union workers to be steadfast in the discharge of their duties, Comrade Okonkwo revealed that the handover of the condition of services to the Union is a landmark achievement to Electricity workers, as it has taking them seven years to achieve.
Additionally, he stressed that the Union is also deliberating with PHED Management for the reinstatement of the Branch President, Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, Comrade Paulinus Aniedi, who was unjustly sacked from work.
Also speaking, Manager Corporate Communications, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company; John Onyi explained that the condition of services guarantees workers better relationship, adding that it is a mutual agreement between the Management and staff.
“It is a remarkable day were the Management of PHED and Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, SSAEAC have exchange condition of services and it has been duly handed over. The importance of it cannot be over emphasized, it is a guiding rule that guide’s both the employer and employee.
“We have sent out the condition of services everybody now knows what is right and what is embedded in the condition of service”, Onyi explained.
