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Tag: NASU

  • NASU task FG to empower minimum wage committee

    NASU task FG to empower minimum wage committee

    The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has asked the federal government to mandate the yet to be inaugurated Tripartite Committee on the Minimum wage to immediately start and conclude its assignment before the end of the year or face the wrath of Nigerian workers.

    Speaking at the National Executive Council meeting of the union in Abuja, the National President of the Union, Comrade Chris Ani also asked the federal government to direct the nation’s anti-corruption agencies to carry out a thorough audit of how state government who benefited from the bailout fund and Paris club refund expended the money.

    He said any of the state government found culpable of diverting the funds should be exposed, the relevant government functionaries prosecuted and the governor of such states arrested immediately they complete their tenure and made to face the law.

    He said it was unfortunate that the government was not committed to the funding of education, adding that the Federal Government has refused to release its White paper on the report of the Needs Assessment Committee for Polytechnics and Colleges of Education. 

    As a result of this refusal he said, the needed intervention fund which Government should have released to our Polytechnics and Colleges of Education for the refurbishment of decayed infrastructure and procurement of teaching, as well as other equipment, remain unattended to. 

    While appealing to the President to accord the education sector its needed priority by declaring an emergency in the sector, he commended the government for inaugurating the Councils of the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education and similarly for inaugurating the Renegotiating Team for the two sectors for the Renegotiation of the year 2010 FGN/Unions Agreements. 

    Ani said that the problem of the payment of CONTISS 15 Migration still subsists in Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, adding that “it is the demand of NASU that the Federal Government should speedily address this problem and ensure that all NASU members who have been negatively affected by the failure of Government to act positively on CONTISS 15 Migration are redressed soonest. 

    “The problem of Needs Assessment earlier referred to should also be speedily addressed. The Negotiating Team should also be empowered to negotiate in good faith and reach Agreement that will be binding on Government. We in NASU do not expect another round of negotiation which Government will refuse to honour its outcome

    The union said unemployment in Nigeria remains a big question in the country, adding that at a rate of 4.20 percent, Governments at all levels have no answer to the growing unemployment in the country, adding that the union believe that the only way to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the society is to grow the economy to a productive economy, not an economy that has turned the country into a retail outlet for other countries.

    He however that the union will resist any policy of Government whether Federal or States that is aimed at taking away the jobs of our members thereby sending them into the unemployment market.

  • NLC names states not utilizing bail out funds

    NLC names states not utilizing bail out funds

    • Promise to resist any hike in tariff

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday made good its threat to name and shame states that have refused to pay the complete salaries of workers or make public the utilization of both the bailout funds and the Paris Club refund, saying ten out of the thirty-six states are particularly guilty of the offence.

    The Congress also warned the government against approving another increase in electricity tariff, saying it will mobilize its affiliates, social partners and other Nigerians to resist any further increase when Nigerians were yet to get quit service for the previous increase which has been declared illegal by the court.

    President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba who spoke at the National Executive Council meeting of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) in Abuja said six of the ten states were in terrible situation, pointing out that the Congress has directed all states chapters whose members are owed more than three months salaries arrears to declare an industrial action.

    While reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s disappointment with the governors over the utilization of the funds made available to them, Wabba had told The Nation exclusively that the Congress was compiling a list of state governors that has failed to utilize the bailout fund and the Paris club refund for the purpose it was meant for.

    Wabba said: “Out of the 36 states, we have ten bad case scenario and out of this ten, we have six terrible ones. We have promised to name and shame them. Those states include Imo that has been paying workers salaries in percentage and has not declared utilization of the bailout fund and Paris club refund. It is part of the states that ICPC has mentioned in fund diversion.

    “They paid 40 percent pension to their pensioners without their consent and provided a form for them to sign under duress. That is not allowed in law. We have Bayelsa which has between five to ten months arrears, Ondo is owing between four and six, Ekiti, (five to eight), Benue (five to eight) and Kogi which is the worst case scenario. 

    “We have three categories of workers in Kogi. We have 40 percent that is being paid up to date, we have 25 percent that has not been paid between eight and sixteen months and another 25 percent that has not been paid between eight and twenty-one months. In all the sectors, they have categorized the workers into three categories. 

    “We also have the case of Osun which is also paying in percentage but are up to date. Ebonyi unilaterally, without discussion with the union tried to reduce the salaries by a certain percentage and have also not made available records of utilization of the Paris club refund. 

    “We have the case of Zamfara which is the only state that has not implemented the minimum wage and all attempt, (including agreements they have signed) to get them to make available records utilization of those funds have failed. The last one is Abia which has a problem with the parastatals. On the average, other states are above Board. 

    “As I speak to you, both Zamfara and Benue are on strike and I am aware that Kogi has issued notice which is in conformity with the decision we took at our last NEC meeting that any state with liability of more than three months should start an action and we will be there to support them.”

    Speaking on the statement credited to the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power that one of the problems in the power sector was low electricity tariff, Wabba said Nigerian workers will not accept any further increase in electricity tariff as it will mobilize to resist it.

    He said: “A few days ago, I received a letter from the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission informing us that they want to hold town hall meetings where they want consumers and other stakeholders to contribute. What immediately came to my mind is an attempt again to increase tariff when we have not been able to get out of the one they illegally increased by 45 percent. 

    “The twin issue of fuel price increase and electricity tariff has made nonsense of the minimum wage. We have not been able to justify that 45 percent increase, but now, they are coming again. Let me say emphatically that NLC as an Organisation and all our affiliates will resist any attempt to increase the electricity tariff again. 

    “We have gone to court to challenge their action and the court mad a pronouncement that the process they followed to effect the last increase was illegal and therefore set it aside. Here we are. Even to respect that court order has become a problem. We must continue to respect the rule of law. We are still on that issue because no court of law has set aside that judgement. 

    “Let us warn those people again because, for them, they must continue to feast on us. If this happens, it means more industries will close and it also means more darkness because the more they increase the tariff, the more darkness we have and more burden on the Nigerian worker. Therefore, we must situate our policies within the context of how it can improve the lives of ordinary Nigerian.”

    Speaking of the current economic challenge facing the nation, he said “there is no doubt that our country is passing through very difficult challenge and I think those challenges are to strengthen us, give us hope and make us to think more and be able to respond to issues that affect us. Economies do bubble and burst. Therefore we must not be lamenting that we are in recession or getting out of recession. 

    “What matters is how do we put food on the table of the ordinary Nigerian; how do we drive our processes to ensure that industries are working? Once industries don’t work and we don’t produce but continue to import, the situation will continue because there will always crave for foreign exchange for us to import and because we don’t export anything, that issue will continue. 

    “Our focus must be that our economic model is anchored around the people and around the issues of social justice. Once we don’t do that, then the problem will continue. That is why we have continuously engaged the process including options that are going to work. 

    “For instance, the issue of taxation. It is only workers today that pays the correct tax while those that have more than enough, including those with stolen funds don’t pay tax. Why should you continue to overburden the worker that is already paying the correct tax with more taxation. 

    “If I am paying correct tax through pay as you earn if means that I am paying correct tax and to introduce more tax means double jeopardy. If we are able to access the stamp duty alone, we will be able to generate over two trillion Naira per annum. These are issues that we need to address. You cannot continue to rob the poor to make sure that the rich continue to live largely.”

    Earlier in his address, National President of NASU, Comrade Chris Ani said the current agitation for restructuring and fiscal federalism were attempts to divert attention from misgovernance and ineptitude the nation has been going through, adding that Nigerians should not be distracted by elements that have actively participated in the looting and mismanagement of our economy and can be found in the two major political parties. 

    Ani said what Nigeria workers need at this point in time is not whether more power should be given to states, but to know how they have managed the power at their disposal at the moment.

    While congratulating the Government and its relevant officials for bringing the country out of recession, Ani said the union will only join them in the celebration, when workers’ welfare improves; jobs are secured; salaries are paid in full as and when due; wage increase is de-frozen and other withheld benefits are paid.

  • Twitter: Join us on #TheNationChat

    Twitter: Join us on #TheNationChat

    The Nation Newspaper on Friday engages concerned Parents, affected Students, working professionals & transiting students who require academic transcript and the General Public to discuss the current Industrial Action/ Strike embarked on by Tertiary Institutions
    in Nigeria. Quote #TheNationChat while responding on twitter.

    Find Some of the responses below:

     

  • Ojukwu, Zik varsities join NASU, SSANU strike

    The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) and the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), both in Anambra State, have joined the nationwide strike of some academic unions.

    The institutions joined under the aegis of Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions comprising Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic technical (NAAS).

    Members of the unions held separate meetings in their institutions where the decision to join the national body was taken.

    At the end of the meeting at Ojukwu Varsity at Igbariam, the chairman of Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions at the school, Andrew Okeke, said the unions had joined the strike.

    The union leader described the strike as total and indefinite, adding that any member seen on the three campuses of the institution would be penalised.

    In a statement, the chairperson of SSANU at UNIZIK in Awka, Njideka Nwangwu, noted that a monitoring team of the institution’s Joint Action Committee (JAC) had been sent out to monitor compliance with the strike.

    She said: “The monitoring team has been set up to monitor the activities of members. Anybody who misbehaves will be severely dealt with.

    “From Tuesday (yesterday), no worker of these three unions is to be seen on this campus unless that person wants to challenge his or her chi in this circumstance.

    “We will wait for further directives from our national leaders. We are not going back on the decision.”

  • NASU, NAAT, SSANU strike cripples varsities

    NASU, NAAT, SSANU strike cripples varsities

    The strike declared by Non Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and Senior Staff Academic of Universities (SSANU) yesterday effectively crippled many public universities across the country.

    The strike, coming after the one declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has further paralysed activities in the universities.

    The three non-teaching unions, under the auspices of Joint Action Committee (JAC), embarked on the industrial action over non-implementation of the 2009 agreement by the Federal Government.

    Their demands 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 their pension body, 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.

    At the University of Lagos (UNILAG), NASU and SSANU leaders confirmed to The Nation that they had joined the strike.

    NASU Chairman Mr. Kehinde Ajibade said members of the union endorsed the strike during its congress yesterday and afterwards embarked on an enforcement exercise, which, he said, would continue today.

    Mr. Toyin Adebule, Deputy Registrar, Information, said members of NASU, SSANU and NAAT moved round offices to send those working out.

    As at the time of this report, NASU, SSANU and NAAT arms of Lagos State University (LASU) were engaged in a prolonged joint congress over the strike.

    Calls made to chairmen of SSANU and NASU Comrades Saheed Oseni and Agosu Albert were not answered.

    But hours after, Agosu called to apologise.

    On enquiry about the strike, Agosu said: “Yes. Here (LASU), we have fully complied (with the strike).”

    Also, NASU branch of University of Ibadan yesterday withdrew the services of its members in compliance with the strike.

    Members of NAAT and SSANU also joined the industrial action.

    Activities at different departments at the university came to near total collapse, except in a few units such as the hospital, security, electrical and power house, where the workers offered skeletal services till 4pm.

    At University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), NASU members acceded to their national executives’ directive.

    The UNN-NASU was already on a month long internal strike but joined the national body in the nationwide strike as soon as they received the directive.

    At the Enugu campus of the UNN, almost all the offices were empty. Only the security personnel were seen patrolling within the university.

    In Benue State, the Federal University of Agriculture (FUAM) and Benue State University (BSU) also joined their counterparts on the indefinite strike.

    In BSU, as earlier as 8am, the Joint Action Committee of SSANU, NASU and NAAT met and decided to join the strike.

    Offices were thereafter closed and workers ordered to leave the school premises.

    At  University of Agriculture, Makurdi, which is about 10 kilometres away from the city, it was, however, a different story.

    At the time The Nation visited the campus, a meeting of the unions’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) was still in progress.

    Already, the state chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is observing a five-day warning strike over non-payment of salaries.

    Business activities in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, are grounded, following the strike action.

    Resident doctors and ASUU have also down tools.

    SSANU members at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria also heeded the call by its umbrella body to down tools indefinitely.

    The striking members mobilised to the university’s main gate at Samaru yesterday with chants of solidarity songs.

    Surprisingly too, it was gathered that the three unions in the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) will observe the national directives from today.

    Already, the monitoring team of the union had been inaugurated to enforce compliance.

    The spokesperson of Unilorin SSANU, Segundo Alabi, said: “The strike action is not against the university management but against the Federal Government.

    “Monitoring team for the strike has been inaugurated and they will be moving around to enforce the industrial action.”

    The Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Abeokuta, was deserted yesterday as members of the SSANU, ASU and NAAT joined the industrial action.

  • Non-academic staff of universities threaten strike from Monday

    Non-academic staff of universities threaten strike from Monday

    Non teaching staff of Nigerian Universities under the auspices of Joint Action Committee is to embark on an indefinite strike action with effect from Monday, September 11 to press home their demand for the implementation of the 2009 agreement entered into with the unions by the federal government.

    The unions made up of the National Association of Academic Technologists, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) said the government was taking the non teaching staff of universities for granted.

    The unions said they have waited for eight years for the government to implement the agreement it freely entered into with them.

    Speaking at a joint Press Conference in Abuja, President of SSANU, Comrade Samson Ugokwe said eight years after the agreement, government t has not been responsive to the demands of the unions, pointing out that no action appear to have been taken on any of the issues which he said has been implemented in breach.

    The demand of the three University based non teaching staff unions include:

    The payment of Earned Allowances to our members, a review of the governance system in our universities, improved funding in line with UNESCO recommendations, provisions of infrastructures in universities and payment of salary shortfall being owed members.

    Other demand include implementation of the National Industrial Court judgement on University staff schools, registration of NUPEMCO, implementation of CONTISS 14 and 15 for Technologists, improvement of teaching and learning facilities in the universities, teaming the tide of corruption in the university system, showing more commitment and seriousness in the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/University unions agreement and ensuring the headship of non teaching units by non teaching staff employed for the purpose of the units.

    Ugokwe said that during the strike, there will be no provisions of services, no matter how skeletal. Concessions shall not be granted while all our members are to stay at home till further notice unless as directed by JAC through their respective Presidents.

    According to him, the unions have engaged in various consultations and dialogues with government on the issues stake and have written several letters and embarked on several protest to no avail, pointing out that several representations made by the unions which have been ignored by the government.

    According to him, rather than address the demands of the union as contained in the agreement, universities have continued to deteriorate, while poor governance system has become the order of the day and has brought the universities to their knees.

    He alleged that corruption has taken its toll on the university system, while infrastructure and facilities are nothing to write home about, adding that while the unions supports government efforts at fighting corruption, they believe that there is more to be done to ensure that individuals found culpable should be dealt with in accordance with the law.

    Comrade Ugokwe said further that rather than obey the decision of the National Industrial Court on the funding of university staff schools, the government has kept mute despite series of communication in the issue, adding that it is an irony that the same government that promise employment to Nigerians will approve a circular that send people into the Labour market.

    He said “if an agreement was signed in 2009 and now in 2017, we are still de a ding for the implementation of such agreement, does it now show that we have have been exceedingly patient? Our patient however seems to ha r ur. To an end particularly when federal government to be toeing the dangerous path of taking non teaching staff unions for granted.

    “You would recall that the JAC of NAAT, NASU and SSANU directed a five day warning strike in January this year to drive home their demands. The strike was however suspended through the intervention of the Honorable Minister of Labour and Employment. Senator Chris Ngige who headed the Federal Government t team that interfaced with JAC of the three  unions. At the end, a memorandum of understanding was entered into by the two parties.

    “Unfortunately, seven months after, we are still at the sorry situation we were before the MOU as the issues in contention were not addressed and government t kept a dead silence despite letters and entreaties reminding the, of their commitment to the non teaching staff unions.”

  • ASUP, NASU, SSANIP strike ground activities at three Delta Polytechnics

    ASUP, NASU, SSANIP strike ground activities at three Delta Polytechnics

    Academic and other activities in all three Delta state government-owned polytechnics were paralyzed on Thursday as academic and non-academic staff unions of the institutions embark on an indefinite strike over disagreement with the government.

    The joint unions of the three state polytechnics‎ located in Otefe-Oghara, Ogwashi-Uku and Ozoro in the three senatorial districts of the state embarked on the action to protest against alleged failure of the state government and ministry of education to implement discussions on emoluments and conditions of service.

    “As I am talking to you now exams activities that were supposed to start at Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku did not hold Thursday.

    “I can also confirm to you that I am in Ozoro now and there is no lecture and all staff have stayed away in obedience to the call to down tools till further notice. The situation is the same in Oghara,” a source at Ozoro said.

    The Academic Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics, (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union, (NASU) members said the indefinite strike was to press home their demands in the staled negotiation with the state government.

    Comr. Thomas Ojuye, Chairman of the Joint Union, told newsmen on Wednesday that the State Government failed to revisit understanding reached at the meeting the unions held with the Commissioner for Higher Education, Mr. Jude Sinebe, earlier.

    He lamented the failure of the State government to begin “full implementation of the new revised scheme of services for polytechnics and other similar Tertiary institution in Nigeria, stoppage of promotion from Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Scheme (CONTISS) 11 to 13, non-implementation of migration of technologists, executive and technical officers, instructors and confidential secretaries cadre on CONTISS 12 and above.

    “Migration of CONTISS 11 and below, stoppage of payment of promotion arrears, withdrawal of 65 years retirement policy, dismissal of Chairmen of ASUP and NASU in Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, and the recent law on the acquisition of PhD certificates as prerequisites for promotion to the post of Chief Lecturer”.

    The statement further added that, “In the light of the above lingering issues since 2014 and the State Government indiscreet disposition to the demands of Staff of the respective polytechnics, after the Union had reached an understanding in the meeting previously held with the Honourable Commissioner for Higher Education, Engr.Jude Sinebe, with the chairmen of the Governing Council, Rectors and Joint Union Executives of the Delta State owned Polytechnics, Ozoro,Ogwashi-uku,and Otefe-Oghara on Monday 5th June 2017 at the conference Hall, the Ministry of Higher Education, Asaba , hence the action”.

    The Joint Union Chairman, Comrade Thomas Ojuye, strongly advised the Union members to remain steadfast and united as they prepare for a long gihtt to address the challenges facing  the Union.

    He assured them that “victory is not farfetched from them to achieve their aims and objectives.”

     

  • LASPOTECH staff unions resume strike

    LASPOTECH staff unions resume strike

    The Lagos State polytechnic staff unions  (ASUP,SSANIP,NASU) resumed the suspended strike action after the expiration of the 21days ultimatum given to the management to respond to their requests.
    The 21days ultimatum however as elapsed yesterday 4th of June 2017, they would now resume their indefinite strike today.
    All normal academic and non-academic activities would not hold on all campuses.
  • Auchi poly workers suspend strike

    Auchi poly workers suspend strike

    Workers of the Federal Polytechnic Auchi in Edo State have suspended their one month old strike.

    The workers were directed by their various unions to return to work.

    Unions that went on strike in the polytechnic were Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (NASUP).

    The unions embarked on the strike over failure of institution’s management to enroll staff of the institution on “CONTISS 15 Migration Salary Structure for Level 11 downward, non-payment of promotion arrears and alleged indebtedness of N1.8billion owed the unions.

    In a communiqué jointly issued after a Joint Action Congress (JAC) meeting the unions directed all staff of the institution to resume their duties.

    The communiqué was signed by Abdulganiyu Braimah (ASUP) Omonekhai Shaka (SSANIP) Solomon Aliabakhalumhe (NASU).

    According to the communique, “Sequel to the deliberations and resolutions reached at the inaugural meeting between the new management led by Dr. Sanusi Jimah and the executive member of the joint unions ASUP, SSANIP and NASU.

    “The current strike embarked upon by the unions on February 6 to press home our demands, we hereby suspend the strike as workers are directed to resume their duties.”

     

  • FG, ASUU begins 2009 renegotiation agreement

    FG, ASUU begins 2009 renegotiation agreement

    The Federal Government has inaugurated a committee to re-negotiate the 2009 FGN/ University Based Staff Unions Agreement.

    The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who performed the inauguration on Monday in Abuja, said the inauguration of the 14-man committee was done in demonstration of the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises.

    Adamu said that the team for the re-negotiation with unions from the polytechnics and colleges of education would soon be constituted as their respective Governing Councils are being put in place.

    The minister said: “The inauguration of the re-negotiation team is significant as it confirms to the unions that government is committed to keeping its own side of the promise.

    “It wants to ensure that an environment that is conducive for teaching, learning, research and community service is engendered through lasting industrial harmony in all our tertiary institutions.

    “Today’s inauguration kick-starts our drive for re-negotiation across the three segments of the tertiary education sub-sector –universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, starting with universities.

    “The administration in the ministry and the administration in the country does not consider the unions enemies or even opponents. As I have always said, ASUU, NASU, NATE and all other are patriotic people who are very concerned about education because what they are struggling for is not for their personal glory or gain. Therefore, you should be facing friends who are interested in education as you are.”

    In his remarks, the Chairman of the committee, Dr. Wale Babalakin, said a conducive environment in the tertiary institutions was the bedrock for development of a nation’s intelligentsia.

    Babalakin, who assured the minister that the committee would rise beyond expectations for the furtherance of tertiary education in Nigeria, appealed to the members to ensure that the task is not underestimated but carried out with the commitment of all to enhance education in Nigeria.

    “A conducive environment in the tertiary institutions is the bedrock for development of a nation’s intelligentsia. A nation’s development can be seriously enhanced by the active participation of the intelligence in the pursuit of the country’s developmental goals.

    “We want to also assure you that we intend to rise even beyond your expectations for the furtherance of tertiary education in Nigeria. This task should not be underestimated but with the commitment of all, we will provide a very serious enhancement for education in Nigeria,” he said.