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Tag: Joint Action Committee

  • ‘We are running out of patience’

    The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has said that the three non-teaching staff of Nigerian universities are running out of patience with the federal government over failure by government to implement its agreement entered into between them and the government in March which led to the suspension of their strike.

    The union asked the government to expedite action towards the release of the fund approved for part payment of arrears of Earned Allowances to the Joint Action Committee (JAC) Unions of NAAT, NASU and SSANU – applicable to Federal Universities.

    In a communique at the end of its 37th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, the union said their members are running out of patience, urging the federal government to urgently implement all elements of the M.O.U it signed with JAC of NAAT, NASU and SSANU on 8th March, 2018.

    The communiqué jointly signed by NAAT President, Comrade Sani Suleiman and General Secretary, Comrade Chief Iyoyo Hamilton, the union also called for the prosecution of Prof. Richard Akindele, the OAU professor who was recently sacked over sex for marks scandal.

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    The union said that prosecuting the lecturer will serve as deterrent to others, even as it urged other universities and indeed all institutions of learning to follow the O.A.U example, saying this will entrench sanity in the system.

    The NAAT also urged states governments, who are yet to implement the Earned Allowances for workers in State-owned universities, to do the needful in line with the 2009 Agreements signed with the unions.

    The union meanwhile expressed concern over poor funding of the education sector, saying this has led to drop the quality of graduates being churned out.

    The communique reads further, “In spite of the worrisome existence of “special centres”, the results of SSCE keep dropping – implying poor quality of secondary school graduates. This may not be unconnected with the poor allocation of financial and human resources to the education sector.

    “Indeed, it is a well-known fact that budgetary allocations for education at both federal and state government levels have been well below the UNESCO benchmark recommendation of 26% over the years. This has resulted in deplorable condition of classrooms, laboratories, libraries and other teaching and learning facilities in Nigerian Public Schools. NAAT therefore urges government at all levels to give more resources and attention to the Education sector, including strengthening supervision and evaluation.

    Reacting to the ongoing minimum wage negation, the union stated the  early in the year, the federal government had told Nigerian workers that a new National Minimum Wage would come into effect by September, 2018.

    It however expressed concern over remarks credited to the minister of Labour and Employment saying September would no longer be feasible and with no other date given.

    The NEC of the union stated that “NAAT is aware that NLC and TUC have jointly made a submission of N66, 500.00 as new national minimum wage and that tripartite meetings in this regard are on-going. As an affiliate of NLC, NAAT is in agreement with NLC and TUC on the submission made. However, the union urges parties in the NMW negotiations to fast track the process to ensure implementation this year, 2018. Undue delay would be unacceptable.”

  • Offa Robbery: Civil Society Coalition demands Saraki’s resignation

    A coalition of some Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in the country on Friday demanded immediate resignation of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki from office over his alleged link with robbers who were involved in the bank robbery in Offa, Kwara state.

    The CSO said Saraki should also face the music for the non-declaration of his assets and alleged killings of over 33 people in Kwara State by his political thugs.

    The group under the umbrella of Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance and Democracy, recalled that Saraki’s corruption trial with the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT,  on alleged non-assets declaration was still on-going,  insisting that the path of honour for the Senate President is for him to step down to clear his name.

    Addressing Journalists in Abuja, Convener of the group, Alhaji Adamu Kabiru, who led other groups comprising labour unions, trade unions and Joint Action Committee, JAC, to the event, tasked members of the 8th Senate to do the needful by immediately impeaching Saraki as Senate President should he fail to resign.

    Read Also:Offa robbery: Kwarans in heated debate over Saraki-police rift

    According to the group it is about time the National Assembly members bring sanity and restoration of the lost glory to the upper chamber in particular.

    The coalition lamented that Nigeria has become a laughing stock in the international community in view of the many corruption cases involving its number three citizen in government. It accused the Senate President of seeking revenge against President Muhammadu Buhari and some appointees in the crime and anti-corruption agencies.

    It described as unfortunate the fact that Saraki’s National Assembly was threatening President Buhari with impeachment following his latest problem with the Nigeria Police.

    “For Dr Saraki to threaten President Buhari with impeachment only because the police rightly invited him is the height of arrogance, and abuse of office and disrespect for the rule of law.

    “It is therefore, our considered view that the President of the Senate be impeached immediately and until this done, he will continue to hold to ransom the entire country and her development, “Kabiru said.

    Kabiru further said: “We are gathered here to affirm that for good governance and democracy to thrive, Saraki must excuse the Senate as their president and face his multiple criminal cases ranging from, financial crimes, to abuse of office, robbery, non-declaration of assets and sponsorship of militia in Kwara State.

    “I am constrained to bring to your notice that the police have invited the Senate President to offer clarifications on the level of his involvement with the Offa robbery and allegations of arms purchase to militia.

    “To this end, how then will Dr Saraki continue to stay in office as President of the Senate?  It has never been this bad for our country, ”

    Kabiru who led Mrs. Sharon N Opara from Trade Unions, Bisong Jonathan from Labour Unions and Femi Abbas from Joint Action Committee to the event, said: “To worsen the situation and to the greatest dismay and disappointment of Nigerians, the Senate President a few days ago masterminded a joint sitting of the National Assembly to muster and nurture the impeachment of President Buhari.

    “He led the joint sitting to reel out a number of conditions for the president to avert imminent impeachment; this is the height of folly, immaturity, mischief, treason, callous and gross abuse of office by Dr Saraki.

    “Interestingly, all this shenanigans are made possible by virtue of his influence as President of the Senate.

    “I am inclined to have it on good authority that the Dr Saraki has plans to use the instrumentality of the National Assembly to become the president of the country.  This ambition has been made public and needs no further microscopic lens for confirmation.’”

  • NASU strike: Osun varsity to implement ‘no-work-no-pay policy’

    The Governing Council of  the University of  Osun  says it will implement  the ` no-work-no-pay’’  policy against striking members of its  Non Academic Staff Union ( NASU )  if  they failed to resume work  on  April 10.

    Mr Gafar Shittu, the Registrar and Secretary to the Council said this in Osogbo on Tuesday in a statement. Shittu said that any non-academic staff who fails to return to work on or before April 10 would no longer be paid.

    The News men  recalls that the non-teaching staff  under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee ( JAC )  had on March 5 embarked on an indefinite strike over non-payment of earned allowances among other demands.

    The registrar  said that  a  register of  attendance would be opened in every college and department for non-teaching staff members who are willing to resume work immediately.

    Shittu, however, said that the council had agreed during its emergency meeting on Monday that the N300 million balance of the 2014/2015 Earned Allowance would be paid in instalments at N10 million per month beginning from April 30.

    Read Also: FG to source N8bn to settle SSANU, NASU, NAAT

    ‘‘It is apposite to state at this juncture that the University has been unable to pay the Earned Allowance because of the shortfall in its finances.

    ‘‘Nevertheless, of the total sum of N524 million being the cost of the accrued allowances for the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015, N224 million has since been paid while the university is not owing any arrears of salary till date.

    ‘‘It is on this note that the management reiterates its long-standing appeal to the striking non-teaching staff to return to work and join once again in the arduous task of the growth and development of the university,’’ he said.

    In a telephone interview with the News men, the university’s NASU Chairman, Mr Isaiah Fayemi, said the Joint Action Committee ( JAC ) of the institution would meet later in the day to decide the next line of action.

    “We are presently in the state House of Assembly premises but once we are through, JAC will meet to take a position on the issue,” Fayemi said.

    NAN

  • LASU: Life returns to admin block,non-academic staff resume

    Life on Thursday gradually returned to many offices that had been affected by the three-month old strike of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities at the Lagos State University ( LASU ), Ojo.

    The Newsmen reports that non-academic activities commenced in the university following the suspension of the nationwide strike embarked by the Joint Action Committee ( JAC ) of NASU.

    A Newsman correspondent who visited the university campus in Ojo reports that life was bouncing back at the Administrative Block, Examination and Record Office and Faculty Offices, among others.

    Services such as electricity and water supply that had also been partially affected had also been restored in areas visited.

    Mr Albert Aguso, Chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions ( NASU ), LASU chapter, told the Newsmen that his members had resumed their duties.

    Aguso said the resumption was in compliance to the national directive to suspend the three month old strike on Wednesday evening.

    “We have resumed and all offices that were under lock have been re-opened, but because the national did not get across to us on the development until late night on Wednesday, some of our members could not resume.

    “We have, however, scheduled our congress for Friday, for proper transmission of information to our members on further directives,” he said.

    Read Also:  Land dispute: ‘LASU’s claim spurious’

    Aguso said the Federal Government’s offer to pay 11 per cent out of the outstanding arrears within five weeks of the suspension of the strike was not the best, but had been accepted by the non-academic staff.

    “It is good for us to always value time. Since the Federal Government knows what they ought to do, they would have done so, rather than allow the strike linger for so long.

    “Though the 11 per cent offered to us is unfair compared to what ASUU was offered, our national union thought it wise to accept it, just to allow the system running,” he said.

    Aguso urged the Federal Government to fulfil its promise within the stipulated time, to prevent the union resuming its suspended strike, which is unpalatable to the education system.

    Newsmen reports that the non-academic unions of universities embarked on the strike since Dec. 4, 2017 due to the inability of the Federal Government to implement a 2009 agreement with them. ‎

    The affected unions are the National Association of Academic Technologists ( NAAT ), NASU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities ( SSANU ).‎ ‎

    They bemoaned poor governance and administrative lapses in the university system, shortfall in payment of staff salaries and other issues which needed to be addressed holistically.

    The JAC Chairman of the unions, Samson Ugwuoke, announced the decision of the unions to suspend its strike at a briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Ugwuoke said: “Based on extensive consultations with our various organs, we hereby announce the suspension of the strike action embarked upon by JAC with effect from March 14″.

    NAN

  • Poly Ibadan: Workers defy resumption order, shut gates

    Poly Ibadan: Workers defy resumption order, shut gates

    Despite the purported announcement of resumption by the management of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, the strikings workers on Monday insisted that the gates of the institution remained until the demands of the workers are met by the state government.

    The management had at the weekend directed all students to resumed after about nine weeks of strike occasioned by the academic and non-academic staff unions across the six tertiary institutions owned by the Oyo state government.

    Particularly, the management had on Saturday asked new students to begin payment of acceptance fee from Monday while announcing January 15, 2017 as the date for resumption for the 2017/2018 session.

    But, the Chairman, Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the trade unions of the six Oyo state-owned tertiary institutions, Mr Babatunde Adeniyi said that the services of its striking staff remain withdrawn.

    According to the accounts of some students who had stormed the school entrance gate to resume in accordance to the directive of the management, members of the striking Non-Academic Staff Union who were on hand to ensure that the directive was defiled ensure both the student and staff were denied entrance into the institution.

    The accounts added that although the some of the students were almost making things go out of hand, the NASU officials took the pain to explain the implications of the government decision that led to the strike action to the students.

    Speaking on why the staff union picketed the institution and ensure the gates remained closed, Adeniyi insisted that the Oyo state government must settle its salary arrears before the unions would call off their two months old strike.

    “We picketed The Polytechnic, Ibadan, because Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) has withdrawn their services and we are here to ensure that the gate remains closed.

    “What the two unions, (NASU and SSANIP) are saying is that their services still stays withdrawn as long as the strike declared by the six institutions as a result of the reduction of salary to 25 percent by the Oyo state government still remains.

    “They can’t resume until we suspend our strike. The six unions declared the strike on November 2, 2017, and this remains. Their services stay withdrawn and the strike continues until the government of Oyo state does the needful,” Babatunde said.

    Meanwhile, state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela maintained that the state only gives support in form of monthly subvention to the tertiary institutions, adding that there is no month all the institutions don’t get “something” from the state government but in varying amounts.

    Olowofela who stated this, on Monday, said the state did not owe salaries of tertiary institutions’ staff but that it provided subventions to the institutions just as it paid out workers’ salaries.

    He pointed out that government only support the institutions since they all generate some revenue on their own and spend same without the government interference.

    He harped on the need for the management of the institutions to be ingenious on generating revenue internally and prioritizing how they expend the subventions they get.

    Olowofela, however, said that the state government would, in the next two weeks, name the governing council for the state-owned tertiary institutions, to give lasting recommendations on resolving the impasse.

  • Unilag postpones candidates’ screening

    Unilag postpones candidates’ screening

    Strike by non-academic staff of universities  has compelled the University of Lagos ( Unilag ) to postpone screening of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination ( UTME ) candidates which was billed to start on Monday.

    The screening, earlier scheduled to end on December 15, is for the 2017/2018 academic session.

    In a statement signed in Lagos by Mrs Taiwo Oloyede, a Senior Assistant Registrar of the institution, Unilag said that the screening was postponed indefinitely.

    It said that the strike disrupted academic and administrative activities in the university.

    JAC began the strike also on Monday.

    “The postponement is indefinite; a new date will be announced. “Candidates are enjoined to check the university’s website regularly for updates,” it said.

    Reports say the strike was embarked on by the three non-academic labour unions in the university.

    The unions are Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities ( SSANU ), Non Academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institutions (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists ( NAAT ).

    The three unions downed tools under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee ( JAC ).

    Read also: Buhari urges universities to justify governments’ investment

    Meanwhile, the National President of SSANU, Mr Samson Ugwoke, said the strike was comprehensive, total and indefinite.

    According to him, the strike resulted from Federal Government’s failure to take action on the September 20 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with the unions.

    “It is not just the issue of allowance that we are talking about but also the issue of implementation of a court judgment on our staff schools as well as the issue of acute shortfall in workers’ salaries.

    “Most of our people were laid off unjustifiably; they are yet to be reinstated in the university’s payroll.

    “We are tired of being tossed around or seen as not important in the running of the university. We are as important as any other union within the system and need to be given that recognition.

    “After several negotiations with the government, we expected that it sees the need to honour whatever agreement reached, but the reverse is the case,” he said,’’ Ugwoke, also the Chairman of the JAC, said.

    According to the union leader, activities in Nigerian public universities would be paralysed until JAC achieves its aim.

    A former Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities ( SSANU ), Prince Oriwaye Adefolalu, said JAC would not call of the strike until its demands would were met.

    “This morning, we had to shut the gate of the University of Lagos in compliance with a directive from our national executive committee.

    “We are indeed not happy with what is going in our universities. We should be seen as a very critical component in the administration of the universities.

    “While ASUU is in charge of research and academics, we are in charge of the administration, security, medical and general maintenance of infrastructure in the system.

    “We should be treated fairly as there is no way the university can work perfectly without us.’’

    NAN

  • Bello proscribes JAC in state institutions

    Bello proscribes JAC in state institutions

    Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has banned activities of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in all state-owned tertiary institutions.

    Bello announced the proscription during a broadcast. According to him, besides being corrupt, JAC has become a cog in the wheel of development.

    His words: “The Kogi State government is dismayed that trade unionism has lent itself to impeding the government’s efforts at carrying out holistic reforms of the civil service, through unjustified and unjustifiable strikes.

    “The Joint Action Committee of trade unions in the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja has proceeded on another strike, for alleged unpaid salaries and emoluments, irrespective of clear evidence of government’s good faith and efforts contradicting JAC’s position; evidence of massive embezzlement of the polytechnic’s earnings in excess of N157 million committed under JAC’s nose.”

    He said the process of employing other categories of workers required by the respective institutions, based on compelling need, will begin immediately.

    The governor directed law enforcement and security agencies to remain vigilant and be proactive in preventing the breakdown of law and order.

    “The government respects the rights of all citizens to responsibly associate and pursue their welfare within the ambits of the Constitution of Nigeria, laws of Kogi State, the rights of other citizens and the norms of a democratic society. It has made tremendous progress in resolving all issues relating to adequacy and frequency of remuneration for all categories of civil servants…”

  • BREAKING: Bello bans unionism in state institutions 

    BREAKING: Bello bans unionism in state institutions 

    Governor Yahaya Bello has banned the activities of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), in all the state-owned tertiary institutions.

    The Governor, in an on-going statewide broadcast, said all union activities in all the schools remain banned.
    Details shortly…
  • Strike: Non-teaching staff resume work in LASU

    Strike: Non-teaching staff resume work in LASU

    Non-academic activities commenced at the Lagos State University (LASU) on Monday following the suspension of à nationwide strike embarked on by Non-Academic Staff of Union members.

    The nationwide strike lasted for 10 days as it was suspended on Sept. 21.

    Check by a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) showed that Health Centre, Certificate unit, Postgraduate school and Registry, which were closed, have been re-opened.

    NAN reports that Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Non-Teaching Staff in Nigeria Universities, had on Sept. 11, embarked on a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike.

    The unions include National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU).

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

    Provision of infrastructure in universities, payment of salary shortfall being owed members and implementation of the judgment of National Industrial Court on university staff schools, among others.

    Mr Saheed Oseni, the Chairman of SSANU in LASU, told NAN that all the non-teaching staff in the institution had resumed work, as directed by the National body and administrative work had commenced.

    Oseni said the union complied with the strike directive comprehensively as directed by the national body while the strike lasted.

    According to him, all the offices under lock during the strike have been re-opened and officers in charge are all on seat.

    He, however, urged the Federal Government to fulfill its agreement with the unions as promised as and when due to prevent further strikes by any of the unions.

  • Strike: SSANU, NAAT, NASU to meet FG

    Strike: SSANU, NAAT, NASU to meet FG

    The non-teaching staff of Nigerian universities on Monday said they would meet to decide on a date to meet with Federal Government over the indefinite strike embarked by the unions.

    It will be recalled that the non-teaching staff of universities under the auspices of Joint Action Committee (JAC) had threatened to embark on an indefinite strike from Monday, September 11 over non-implementation of the 2009 agreement.

    Mr Samson Ugwoke, the President of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) made this known in a phone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

    “We have commenced the strike today; the strike is total, comprehensive and indefinite.

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    “We only just got a letter from the Ministry of Labour and Employment inviting us for a meeting today.

    “But, it is not something I alone can decide but the JAC as it involves other unions, we have to come together and take that decision on when to meet with the Federal Government, ‘’he said.

    The unions under the JAC are the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and SSANU.

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

    Provisions of infrastructures in universities and payment of salary shortfall being owed members, implementation of the National Industrial Court judgment on university staff schools, registration of NUPEMCO.

    Others are implementation of CONTISS 14 and 15 for technologists, improvement of teaching and learning facilities in the universities, stemming the tide of corruption in the university system.

    The unions also called on Federal Government to show more commitment and seriousness in the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/University unions agreement, among others.

    NAN reports that the Ministry of Labour and Employment had invited the unions for a crucial meeting on Monday but the unions were absent as they claimed they were not aware of any such forum.

    The ministry has further postponed the meeting for Thursday, Sept. 14.