About one month after an accord was reached between the Federal Government and university teachers, indications have emerged that staff unions may resume strike following non-payment of their wages during the period the industrial action lasted.
Their three months strike protesting several issues including poor pay was called off last month after a break-through in negotiations between both parties.
It followed the intervention of the former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, upon the request of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
But it was gathered that zonal meetings of the university teachers that would fine tune the strategy for the fresh action are in progress across all the geo-political zones of the country.
A meeting of the Ibadan zone of ASUU comprising universities in Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, and Kwara states was held at the University of Ibadan yesterday. The meeting was ongoing as at press time.
THISDAY checks revealed that other staff unions are spoiling for a fight as they have put their members on the alert regarding the issue.
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, had in a circular sent to all federal vice -chancellors directed them to withhold the August and September salaries of workers in observance of the no-work no-pay policy of the Federal Government.
The circular which was titled “Re: National Strike by Staff Unions of Universities: Payment of Staff salaries” stated that “the Accountant-general of the federation by my letters, Ref. NUC/ES/444/Vol.15/71 of July, 2009 and NUC/ES/444/Vol15/77 of 21 August, 2009 on the national strike by staff unions of universities was advised to effect the No work, no pay policy of government.”
The circular explained that salaries would be paid with effect from October, excluding the three months strike period.
“Following the suspension of the strike by staff unions, the Accountant-general of the federation has been advised to pay the salaries of all staff of federal universities with effect from the month of October, 2009. The salaries withheld during the strike period however remain withheld please” the circular stated.
But the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned the circular, saying it violates the recent agreement signed with the Federal Government.
ASUU was reported to have quoted the last sentence in the agreement of ASUU/FG agreement which reads: “it was agreed that nobody shall be victimised in any way whatsoever for his or her role in the process leading to this re-negotiation and agreement."
When contacted, ASUU President, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie told THISDAY on phone that he is not aware of a planned fresh strike action but disclosed that the organisation's National Executive Committee (NEC) would be meeting next week. He however confirmed that salaries for the three months that the strike lasted are yet to be paid.
“While we were on strike, the Federal Government said N20.6 billion had been appropriated for the new salary. Why has this not been paid? One month after the agreement was signed, the Implementation Monitoring Committee has not been set up and the National Universities Commission ought to have written officially to the Vice Chancellors about the agreement reached," said Awuzie.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, said before he went on leave, he directed the Permanent Secretary, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, to ensure the immediate appointment of the Implementation Monitoring Committee, but, he was told, that ASUU asked for some time to consult with its constituency to determine its nominees.
The nomination forms, he said, were being sent out. The minister however declined comment on the salaries, saying it was a matter between the lecturers and their employees.
Their three months strike protesting several issues including poor pay was called off last month after a break-through in negotiations between both parties.
It followed the intervention of the former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, upon the request of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
But it was gathered that zonal meetings of the university teachers that would fine tune the strategy for the fresh action are in progress across all the geo-political zones of the country.
A meeting of the Ibadan zone of ASUU comprising universities in Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, and Kwara states was held at the University of Ibadan yesterday. The meeting was ongoing as at press time.
THISDAY checks revealed that other staff unions are spoiling for a fight as they have put their members on the alert regarding the issue.
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, had in a circular sent to all federal vice -chancellors directed them to withhold the August and September salaries of workers in observance of the no-work no-pay policy of the Federal Government.
The circular which was titled “Re: National Strike by Staff Unions of Universities: Payment of Staff salaries” stated that “the Accountant-general of the federation by my letters, Ref. NUC/ES/444/Vol.15/71 of July, 2009 and NUC/ES/444/Vol15/77 of 21 August, 2009 on the national strike by staff unions of universities was advised to effect the No work, no pay policy of government.”
The circular explained that salaries would be paid with effect from October, excluding the three months strike period.
“Following the suspension of the strike by staff unions, the Accountant-general of the federation has been advised to pay the salaries of all staff of federal universities with effect from the month of October, 2009. The salaries withheld during the strike period however remain withheld please” the circular stated.
But the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned the circular, saying it violates the recent agreement signed with the Federal Government.
ASUU was reported to have quoted the last sentence in the agreement of ASUU/FG agreement which reads: “it was agreed that nobody shall be victimised in any way whatsoever for his or her role in the process leading to this re-negotiation and agreement."
When contacted, ASUU President, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie told THISDAY on phone that he is not aware of a planned fresh strike action but disclosed that the organisation's National Executive Committee (NEC) would be meeting next week. He however confirmed that salaries for the three months that the strike lasted are yet to be paid.
“While we were on strike, the Federal Government said N20.6 billion had been appropriated for the new salary. Why has this not been paid? One month after the agreement was signed, the Implementation Monitoring Committee has not been set up and the National Universities Commission ought to have written officially to the Vice Chancellors about the agreement reached," said Awuzie.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, said before he went on leave, he directed the Permanent Secretary, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, to ensure the immediate appointment of the Implementation Monitoring Committee, but, he was told, that ASUU asked for some time to consult with its constituency to determine its nominees.
The nomination forms, he said, were being sent out. The minister however declined comment on the salaries, saying it was a matter between the lecturers and their employees.
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