Workers under the auspices of the National Union of Electricity Employees has embarked on a nationwide strike over alleged failure of the federal government to dialogue with them over lingering issues in the sector.

The 21-day ultimatum given to the minister of power, Saleh Mamman, ended at midnight on Tuesday with union members enforcing total compliance to the strike directive by members.

At the headquarters of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution, the gate was shut to workers and customers who came to transact business.

In a conspicuously displaced statement signed by the general secretary of the national union of electricity employees, Joe Ajaero pasted as the IKEDC office, the union’s decision was hinged on the fact that the ministry of power failed to respond to the strike notice.

Judith Irenoa reports that efforts by galaxy news to speak with Union members at the IKEDC office Ikeja proved abortive as members were hostile and uncooperative.

Some of the demands of the union contained in the memo include The failure of the government to resolve some issues affecting members of the union since 2013 when the power sector was privatised especially issues with the over 2,000 disengaged former PHCN workers and their pay off, the illegal transfer of union properties to power investors and the alleged refusal by some distribution companies (DisCos) to remit deducted contributory pension of their members of staff to pension managers.

Unpaid benefits to over 2000 disengaged staff of the defunct Power Holding Company, PHCN, since 2013; underpayment of over 50,000 ex-PHCN staff; payment of half salaries to workers by DISCOs, among other perceived unfair Labour practices among other issues.

The union, in a memo dated November 7 and sent to the minister, warned that it will declare a nationwide strike if its demands were not met.