The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Joint Action Committee (JAC)

  • FG to source N8bn to settle SSANU, NASU, NAAT

    The Federal Government says it will source for eight billion naira within five weeks to pay the Joint Action Committee ( JAC ) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities ( NASU ).

    Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, said this at a resolution reached at a conciliation meeting with the Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities in Abuja.

    The Non-Academic staff Union of Nigerian are made of the Non Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities ( NASU ), Senior Staff Academic of Nigerian Universities ( SSANU ), National Association of Academic Technologists, ( NAAT ).

    The resolution was jointly signed by Ngige, NAAT President, Mr Sani Suleiman, NASU General Secretary, Mr Peters Adeyemi , SSANU President Mr Samson Ugwoke and Prof. Anthony Anwukah, Minister of State for Education.

    Ngige also said that part of the eight billion would also be used to pay members of the Academic Staff Universities ( ASUU ), University of Nigeria, Nsukka ( UNN ), and the University of llorin ( UNILORIN ), who were not paid at the last disbursement.

    He also said that the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission was to rework the Dec. 15 Call Circular on University Staff Schools.

    “This is taking into consideration the observations of JAC of NAAT, NASU and SSANU with a view to ensuring that it complies with the National Industrial Court ( NIC ) judgment.

    Ngige also said that the Federal Ministry of Education reported that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has started payment of salary shortfalls, adding that the process was still ongoing.

    He said Ministry of Education was to synergise with the concerned institutions to ensure compliance with Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit ( PICA ) requirements to facilitate payments of JAC members in the universities that are yet to comply.

    The minister, however, said on the issue of the non-implementation of CONTISS 14 and 15 for technologists, the Ministry of Education has made submissions to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

    He said that the submission was for onward transmission to the National Council on Establishment ( NEC ) meeting slated for March 18, in Owerri, adding that the Ministry of Education is expected to report the outcome in five weeks.

    Ngige also said the Ministry of Education had put forward an application for the visitation panel to the presidency and that the main trust of the visitation was to re-energise the institution, unearth corruption, among others.

    He said that it was also agreed that the Ministry of Education would set in motion appropriate machinery for the release of White Paper in respect of the previous visitation panel already with government.

    He also added that no worker would be victimised on account of the industrial action.

    Ngige said that government and JAC leadership have agreed that the ongoing strike would be suspended by March 14, after due consultation with their National Executive Councils ( NECs ).

    NAN

  • Nigerian varsities can be best in Africa – Prof Ogundipe

    Nigerian varsities can be best in Africa – Prof Ogundipe

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University  of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, says Nigerian universities can be the best in Africa, if they can enjoy  a stable academic calendar.

    Ogundipe made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

    The vice-chancellor was reacting to incessant strikes by labour unions in the Nigerian university system.

    According to him, there is the need for education stakeholders to effectively manage issues that result in strikes.

    “Universities especially the first generation ones in the country can be ranked best in Africa, if we can continue with a stable academic calendar.

    “There is need for everyone to look inward to ensure that we are always able to manage crisis in the system so that the country’s universities can be ranked among the best in the world,” Ogundipe said.

    He also said that there was the need for the stakeholders to take university administration and related issues more serious.

    Ogundipe urged that Nigerian university administration should be done in line with best practices.

    “We are talking about global ranking of universities, and here we are, still grappling with issues of strike,” he said.

    “An instance is the ongoing strike by the three non-academic staff unions of universities.

    “This does not speak well of us as a country because one cannot rule out their relevance in the running of the system.

    “As a manager of a university, I know that their strike has an effect on the operations of the institutions,” he said.

    .The don noted that many facilities for a conducive teaching and learning environment were being handled by the non-academic staff.

    “But I am sure that the academic staff would be up to their assignments.

    “This group of staff is not on strike.

    “The classrooms are open; as we resumed on December 27, lectures have commenced in most faculties in our university.

    “The strike is nationwide and not local; there is little the university on its own can do,” he said.

    According to him, the striking unions under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) have been reasonable in their conduct.

    .“They are on strike, no doubt about that. Nobody has forced them to come to work since the declaration of the strike to the best of my knowledge.

    “My message is that there is need for an urgent and continuous dialogue between the striking workers and the Federal Government.“Dialogue is key,” he told NAN.

    NAN reports that the striking unions, under the aegis of JAC, had on Sept. 11, embarked on a nationwide indefinite strike over theon-implementation of an agreement they entered into in 2009 with the Federal Government

  • Lecturers, others begin warning strike in Otuoke varsity

    Lecturers, others begin warning strike in Otuoke varsity

    Workers under the Joint Action Committee ( JAC ) of four trade unions of the Federal University, Otuoke ( FUO ), Bayelsa State, yesterday, commenced a five-day warning strike following allegations that the management of the school and the governing council were insensitive to their plight.

    The JAC, which undertook the action consisted of the Academic staff Union of Universities ( ASUU ); the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities ( SSANU ); the National Association of Academic Technologists ( NAAT ) and the Non-Academic Staff Union ( NASU ).

    The workers in a communique on June 22, 2017, cried out that the Senator Gbemi Saraki-led governing council was allegedly doing nothing about the issues of staff welfare, promotions, salary disparity, tax remitances, pension remission, statutory allowances, confirmation of appointment, among others.

    They also alleged that Saraki who is the Pro-Chancellor of the university was running the institution as her personal business.

    The workers in a notice sent to the Vice-Chancellor, FUO, Prof. Accra Jaja, and signed by the Chairman, JAC-FUO, Dr. Omororo Joseph, said that if their grievances were not addressed after the end of the warning, they would make the industrial action indefinite.

    The unions’ communique after their meeting said;  ”On behalf of the Joint Action Committee of the Federal University of Otuoke, we write to you (Vice-Chancellor). Having observed all due processess as well as relevant rules and regulations guiding the operations of the unions, we bring to your notice our warning strike.

    ”Sequel to the insensitivity of management and governing council of this university to the communique dated June 22, 2017, and associated reminders from JAC, a joint congress was held today (October 16, 2017) at the university auditorium, East Campus.

    ”In the light of the above, please be informed that JAC shall with effect from today, Monday, October 16, 2017, embark on a five working days warning strike.

    ”We hope that this action will give our communique the deserved response and attention in the interest of peace, harmony and stability of the university community.”

  • Strike: FG, non-teaching varsity workers reach agreement

    Strike: FG, non-teaching varsity workers reach agreement

    The Federal Government and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the non-teaching staff of Nigerian Universities have  reached an agreement over the ongoing  strike by the workers.

    The Minister of  Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige,  said this at a conciliatory meeting with the leadership of the JAC of the unions and other officials of the Ministry of Education on Friday in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that the non-teaching staff of Nigerian universities under the auspices of JAC embarked on  strike on Monday  over non- implementation of the 2009 agreement.

    The workers belong to the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities ( SSANU).

    The demands of the unions included  the payment of earned allowances, a review of the governance system in universities and  improved funding in line with UNESCO recommendations.

    Other demands included  provision  of infrastructure  in universities and payment of salary shortfall being owed members, implementation of the National Industrial Court judgment on university staff schools and  registration of NUPEMCO, the Pension Fund Administrator  proposed for university workers.

    Ngige, however, said agreements had been reached on all  the issues raised by the workers.

    “We held discussions on all these areas and we reached agreement  on all of them;  government has already approved and released  some N23 billion for earned allowances in the universities.

    “This is for teaching and non-teaching staff of the various universities in Nigeria.

    “ We agreed on this that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation is to expedite action on  mandate for this payment.

    “We have the issue of  shortfall;  the issue is already being addressed and some universities are already credited with some amount of money for their short falls, ‘’ he said.

    On the implementation of  NIC judgment  for  staff schools, he said that government through the National Universities Commission had  issued circulars directing the universities to implement the judgement.

    He also said  the Salaries and Wages Income Commission had  initiated the process of ensuring compliance with the NIC judgment, expressing the hope that this would  be completed within four weeks.

    On  non-registration of NUPEMCO as Pension Fund Administrator, he said  that the process had begun and a  consultant would be handling  this  on behalf of the unions.

    “ We have also reiterated our commitment that the appropriate filled forms and particulars be  submitted within one week while the Federal Ministry of Education will expedite action to bringing out the certificates.

    “ Also on the negotiation of the 2009 agreement,  we realised that Babalakin  Committee is handling that and has collected memorandum from the various unions,’’ he added.

    Ngige, who also reacted to the issue of inadequate infrastructure and  poor funding of universities, said the Ministry of Education was in the process of inaugurating a nine-man committee that would develop an alternative means of sourcing for  funds.

    He also said that the meeting jointly agreed that government should intensify  efforts  to checkmate the excesses of corrupt officials in the university system.

    The meeting  further  agreed that  universities  should also operate the Treasury Single Account  and that the office of the Accountant General of the Federation should  investigate cases of those operating multiple accounts.

    “We also agreed that government should expedite action and send visitation panels to federal universities that have not been visited and revisit the previous visitation panels for the purpose of implementation of their recommendations.

    “ Again on whistle blowing which is the new anti-corruption policy of this administration, government agreed with the unions that  whistle blowers should be protected

    “On the issue of CONTISS  14 and CONTISS  15 for technologists,  the technologists’  union, NAAT,  is to provide the Federal Ministry of Education with information that would assist the ministry to develop appropriate scheme of service for the new cadres  among others.

    “Finally,  it was agreed that the union members should not be victimised on  account of this journey they have undertaken to go on strike and the unions also are to revert to government on Wednesday,  Sept. 20,   after presenting  this to their  National Executive Councils, ‘’he said.

    Mr Samson Ugwoke, the National Chairman of JAC,  commended the labour minister  for his  honesty and commitment  in ensuring that the strike was called off.

    “We have all dotted these items one by one and agreed on  them, but you know we are messengers;  we were sent  here by our principals and we cannot endorse any of these as either  an agreement or MOU

    “So, what we agreed on today, on these issues that  we have put our heads together  on,  will be taken back to our various National Executive Councils  for deliberation  and we will  report by Wednesday, Sept. 20, ”  he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting between the Federal Government and the unions lasted about  11 hours.

  • Saraki running Otuoke varsity without due process, say workers

    Saraki running Otuoke varsity without due process, say workers

    Workers in the Federal University, Otuoke, (FUO), Bayelsa State, have accused the institution’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairperson of the Governing Council, Gbemisola Saraki of running the university like a personal business without due process.

    The workers under the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the university, comprising the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) faulted Saraki’s leadership style.

    They alleged that Saraki failed to receive a report of a properly-constituted Committee on Staff Verification established to look into the issues of staff welfare, promotions and salary disparity.

    The committee, which was also mandated to verify tax remittances, pension remission, statutory allowances, confirmation of appointment, was said to have submitted its report to the Governing Council.

    According to the workers instead of Saraki to work on the report of the committee, she abandoned it and unilaterally set up a separate Ad-Hoc Committee to consider staff welfare and complaints.

    Saraki’s ad-hoc committee was also asked to probe the protest that occurred in the institution on May 23, 2017.

    The workers in a communique issued last weekend after the end of their emergency meeting held at the ASUU Secretariat Complex of the university, rejected the new ad-hoc committee.

    They insisted on knowing the outcome of the first committee.

    The document was signed by Chairman, ASUU, Dr. Joseph Omoro; Chairman, SSANU, Kalizibe Joseph; Chairman, NAAT, Ama Uduma and Chairman, NASU, Bestman Egba.

    They further said that the pro-chancellor was conducting the meeting of the institution’s governing council in Abuja instead of FUO.

    They threatened to shut down the university if after 21 days ultimatum, with effect from Friday, June 23, 2017, the council failed to address all the issues raised in the communique.

    The communique said: ”Members of the unions demand the immediate release and implementation of the verification report. In this way, staff complaints, staff issues and staff welfare will be resolved and subsequent fallouts can then be addressed.

    ”We, therefore, wish to state that the constitution of another Governing Council Ad-Hoc Committee on staff complaints, staff issues and staff welfare is completely unacceptable and is, therefore, rejected.

    ”That the failure to release and implement the original reports on staff verification undermines the integrity of the council and breaches the trust between council and unions.

    ”We forbid any member of the four unions from participating in the activities of the Ad-hoc committee either as a member or as a respondent.

    ”The Pro-Chancellor should be reminded that the council is constituted on the basis of representation to include internal and external members of the university community, hence the decision of the council should be collective.”

    The workers argued that the establishment of the ad-hoc committee was deliberately conceived and designed to create industrial unrest in the university.

    They accused Saraki of making herself a ”demigod” and failing to move the university forward through collaborations and interactions and with stakeholders.

    The workers appealed to the council to carry out an assessment tour and audit of all projects in the university from 2011 to date.

    They lamented that the audit was necessary because of the number of abandoned projects in the institution, which had become a source of worry and concern to them.

    They also demanded the immediate constitution of the Central Appraisal and Promotions Committee (CAPC) to conclude all outstanding promotions, upgrades and proper placement of both teaching and non-teaching staff of the university.

  • Kogi: JAC suspends over four months strike

    Kogi: JAC suspends over four months strike

    The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Trade Unions of Tertiary Institutions owned by the Kogi State, Wednesday announced the immediate suspension of the over four months that has paralyzed activities in the schools.

    The strike, said the JAC will be suspended for an initial one month, to allow for the resolution of other outstanding issues with the state government.

    Addressing a joint press conference yesterday at the premises of ministry of education, Lokoja, Comrade Moses Balogun of the JAC, called on the staff of the various institutions to resume work from Thursday.

    At the meeting were the state Commissioner of education, Dr Tolorunleke Sunday, representatives from the Governing Councils of Tertiary Institutions Owned by Kogi State and leadership of the JAC in the state.

    Tertiary institutions in the state, including the Kogi State University Ayingba, the Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja have remained under lock since on 31st of January, when the JAC declared its industrial action over some issues with the Governor Yahaya Bello-led administration.

    The JAC’s Balogun who addressed pressmen at the end of their session, commended Governor Yahaya Bello for some of the steps so far taken, including the constitution of credible governing councils, which according him led to the suspension of the strike.

    He added: “We have agreed to suspend the strike for four weeks, to allow issues that have not been fully addressed to be addressed. We have consideration because 80 per cent cleared staff have been paid, and we agreed that the rest will be paid in the next two weeks.

    “We have agreed because government has put in place governing councils for the institutions, except for one. We agreed because of the regard we have for the commissioner of education, who has worked tirelessly over the past months to see to the resolution of the issues.

    “We appreciate Governor Yahaya Bello for constituting credible governing councils, who are not politically appointed, but from universities from across the country, and are very reputable, and pray that God almighty will continue to sustain him.”

    They appealed to government to not allow for a drawback on the agreement so far reached, and that, no staff of any of the state-owned tertiary institutions be victimized as a result of the strike.

  • LASU staff comply with 5-day warning strike

    LASU staff comply with 5-day warning strike

    The Non-academic Staff, Lagos State University (LASU), on Monday, complied with the five-day warning strike by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the unions in the institution to press their demands.
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    ‎The unions are the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).‎

    Mr Saheed Oseni, Chairman, SSANU-LASU Chapter, told NAN that the three unions in the university totally complied with the strike in line with the directive of their national bodies.

    Oseni said ‎all administrative activities in the institution had been grounded as its non-academic staff had downed tools following the directive by JAC.

    He said that machinery, such as the strike monitoring team were in place ‎to ensure that all staff fully complied with the action.

    Oseni urged the government to do the needful and attend to the issues raised by the unions’ national leaders before the warning strike elapsed.

    “But we will await further directive from our leaders on the next line of action if the government does otherwise, as ‎failure to do the needful, will be unacceptable to the unions,’’ he said.
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    Mr Albert Agosu, ‎NASU-LASU chairman also confirmed that the union members in the institution had commenced strike as directed.

    Agosu said NASU-LASU had earlier sent a letter to its management to inform them of the action and also summoned a congress to intimate its members also.

    “Henceforth, for the five days declared, the strike will be total as directed,’’ he said.‎
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    The JAC of the unions said in a statement that the warning strike became effective on Jan. 16,  due to the inability of the Federal Government to implement the 2009 Agreements with the unions.
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    It said that a joint letter for the warning strike by Mr Samson Ugwoke, SSANU President, Mr Sani Suleiman, President of NAAT and Chris Ani, NASU President was sent to the Minister of Education.

    It added that the letter was also copied to the Minister Labour and Employment, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission and President of Nigeria Labour Congress.

    The statement quoted the committee as saying that “the university system is challenged by poor governance and administrative lapses which needs to be addressed holistically.

    “Poor funding of our universities, shortfall in payment of staff salaries, increasing corruption in the university system should be addressed’’.

    It also listed among the problems that required the attention of the government to include inadequate physical infrastructure and abandoned projects which, the unions said, had reduced the capacity and output of its members. ‎