The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU)

  • UNILAG VC appeals to protesting unions to embrace peace

    UNILAG VC appeals to protesting unions to embrace peace

    The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos ( UNILAG ), Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, on Friday pleaded with striking workers in the institution to embrace peace, as appropriate authorities were addressing their agitation.

    The workers, under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the institution, had embarked on a peaceful protest on campus, demanding the release of two of their members that were arrested by the Police on Feb. 15.

    Addressing the protesting workers, Ogundipe said he did not have a hand in the arrest.

    He described as unfortunate, instances where some persons were already indicting him as being solely responsible for the arrest.

    “Since the beginning of this strike, I have not had course to stop you from prosecuting your struggle.

    “It is your right to demand what rightfully is yours.

    “But at the same time, let us not destroy the structure, because this strike will come and go.

    “If we destroy the structure at this time of the strike, then when we come out of it, there will be no structure to fall back on.

    “The strike is a national one and not a local one, so it also behoves on us to think globally and act locally.

    “This will be for the benefit of all,’’ the VC said.

    In their response, the union leadership assured the vice-chancellor of their support for his administration.

    They said the struggle had nothing to do with him or his management team.

    Mr Sulaiman Lawal, Chairman of the National Association of Academic Technologists ( NAATs ), called for a better working relationship between members and management.

    He described as unfortunate, the various incidents that had been happening on the campus while the strike was on.

    “We are not happy about recent happenings on campus.

    “We need to tell ourselves the truth; many things have been unfolding and we are not happy with that,’’ Lawal said.

    Mr Kehinde Ajibade, Chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union ( NASU ) of the institution, urged the Police to stop intimidating its members, as they were always carrying out their protest peacefully.

    According to Ajibade, members, though striking, are also mindful of the need to maintain law and order.

    “We are part of the system and we do not think we will want to do anything that will collapse it totally.

    “On the arrest of the members, we strongly believe that our vice-chancellor is not behind it.

    “When we contacted some key members of our unions, they all affirmed that the vice-chancellor is innocent about the arrest.”

    According to him, there is the need for peaceful coexistence in an effort to take the university to its desired height.

    He emphasised the need for constant dialogue between members and management, for a healthier working relationship.

    The unions, on Dec. 4, 2017, embarked on an indefinite strike.

    They are protesting non-implementation of the agreement they entered into with the Federal Government in 2009.

    The unions are also protesting the sharing formula of the N23 billion released by the Federal Government as part of the earned allowance for workers of Federal universities.

    NAN

  • UNILAG postpones 2017 convocation

    UNILAG postpones 2017 convocation

    The University of Lagos ( UNILAG ), on Tuesday said it had postponed its convocation ceremony for the 2016/2017 academic session.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe who disclosed this in an interview with our reporter in Lagos said that a suitable date for the ceremony would be announced in due course.

    The university, in a statement earlier issued , had stated that a news conference to announce activities lined up  for the event had been slated for Feb. 14.

    “Yes, after some deliberations with management, the university has decided to postpone the convocation ceremony.

    “This is as a result of the challenges posed by the on-going strike embarked upon by members of the non –academic labour unions of universities.

    “The ceremony was earlier scheduled to hold from Monday, Feb. 19 to Thursday Feb. 22 .

    “The activities of these unions have the potential of snowballing and marring the carefully laid out arrangements already put in place for the ceremony,’’ he said.

    Ogundipe stated that though arrangements for a successful ceremony were already at an advanced stage, the institution would not give room for anything that might cause any form of inconvenience or embarrassments to invited guests.

    “The university remains committed to providing a conducive atmosphere that would foster quality teaching and research as well as produce graduates that can compete with their counterparts globally.

    “Hence, members of the community are enjoined to continue their lawful activities,’’ the vice-chancellor said.

    Members of the unions, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities ( SSANU ), the Non Academic Staff Union ( NASU ) and the National Association of Academic Technologists ( NAATS ), had embarked on strike on Dec. 4, 2017.

    The unions, under the aegis of the Joint Actions Committee (JAC), were protesting among other issues, the non-implementation of agreement they entered into with the Federal government in 2009.

    They were also protesting the sharing formula of the N23 billion released by the Federal government as part of earned allowance of workers of federal universities across the country.

    The National President of the JAC, Mr Samson Ugwoke, had while declaring the strike in December said it would be ‘comprehensive, total and indefinite’.

    NAN

  • OAU: NASU, Research Institute workers protest non-payment of areas

    OAU: NASU, Research Institute workers protest non-payment of areas

    The staff of the research institutes, NASU in Ile-Ife, Osun state, on Tuesday went on a peaceful protest over an alleged non-implementation of agreement they entered into with the Federal Government.

    The staff under the aegis of Non-Academic Staff Union ( NASU ), National Centre for Technology Management ( NACETEM ) and Prototype Engineering Development Institute (PEDI), bombarded the Obafemi Awolowo University ( OAU ) Campus to protest the Federal Government’s neglect and paying lip service to research for development.

    They also demanded for the payment of their 12 months arrears and separation of research fund from the capital projects among others.

    The staffs were seen with different placards which carried various inscriptions such as ; “FG pay our 12 Months Arrears”, “FG Increase funding of research institute”, “Implementation of 65 years retirement age and “Withdrawal of non-skipping Circular” among others.

    Speaking with The Nation Correspondent, who was at the NACETEM office where the protesters later converged, the branch Chairman of Prototype Engineering Development Institute (PEDI), Ilesa, Mr Adewale Akinboro said, “the union had embarked on the industrial strike action about 80 days ago so as to press home their demand”.

    Akinboro said the decision of NASU to stage a protest was taken after the Federal Government ignored their demands.

    “We had a warning strike about two years ago that the Federal Government should implement the agreement we signed.” Part of the agreement we signed includes: adequate funding of research institutes, establishment of the Nigerian Research Institute Commission amongst other demands.

    “Our research is not being funded, we have had several meetings with the Government.

    Read More: FUTO shutdown as non-academic staff begin strike

    We want the Federal Government to separate our research funds from the capital project. Government up till this time has not responded positively to our demand to pay the 12 months salary arrears on Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS) and implement other issues as agreed upon in the interim report of the Presidential Committee.”

    The unions also urged the Federal Government to respect the content of the interim report of the Present Committee and pay the 12 months salary arrears to the workers of the Research Institutions. They also asked the Federal Government to stop paying lip service to issues affecting the Research.

    Echoing a similar view, the branch Chairman, of NACETEM, Fadakinte Olumide Akintayo decried the non-challant attitude of the Federal Government towards research efforts and technological development in Nigeria.

    Akintayo who noted that the refusal of the Federal Government to heed their plight was a deliberate attempt to frustrate their efforts said that no nation can develop without research and technology. According to him,  “The Federal Government’s nonchalance towards the agitations of NASU and JORAISU and research institutes in Nigeria can be said to be deliberate.” There is no nation of the world that has developed today outside the level of their technological advancement and the nonchalant attitude of the Nigerian government towards research institutes is not helping the nation as a whole.

  • Workers’ protest grounds academic activities in Ekiti college of education

    Workers’ protest grounds academic activities in Ekiti college of education

    Academic activities have been paralysed for two days at the College of Education, Ikere- Ekiti as workers of the institution are protesting against unpaid eight month arrears of their salaries.

    The protest which started on Monday continued on Tuesday as the angry workers chanting solidarity songs blocked the college’s main gate for two days running.

    The protest was spearheaded by members of the Non-Academic Staff Union ( NASU ) but was joined by members of the College of Education Academic Staff Union ( COEASU ).

    The workers accused the Provost, Prof. Mojisola Oyarekua, of allegedly holding on to three months salaries they claimed was released by the state government to offset part of the arrears.

    The protest on Monday lasted for about three hours during which the workers prevented vehicles from going in and coming out of the campus.

    While the protesters allowed students into the campus, no worker was allowed access. The action has disrupted the second semester examination that was supposed to start on Monday.

    But the protest assumed a frightening dimension on Tuesday when the workers shut the gate and tied palm fronds on it which is a sign that “the place was a no-go area”. Many of them carried placards and leaves.

    They sang: “Iya yi to, iya yi too, iya yi to Jesu ko ba wa lara mu” (This suffering is enough, it is enough, it is enough Jesus, it is unpalatable), “Solidarity forever, solidarity forever, we shall always fight for our rights,” “Awon to n ni wa lara Baba, ni won lara O” (Father, oppress our oppressors) among others.

    Some of their placards read: “We are dying of hunger, pay our salaries,” “No salaries, no exam,” “A Labourer deserves his wages,” “Madam Provost, pay our salaries,” “Denying workers of their rights is cruel,” among others.

    The workers said they won’t resume at their duty posts until they receive salary alerts.

    Speaking with reporters during the protest, NASU Secretary, Mr. Wale Animasaun, said the decision to carry out the action was reached at a congress held last Wednesday in which the college management was given up till last Friday to pay their salaries or face a mass action.

    Animasaun clarified that the protest was not against the government of Governor Ayo Fayose but against the college management led by Oyarekua.

    He said: “The governor has released three months out of the salary arrears owed us but the college management has refused to pay us. They used to give us net pay but they have even refused to pay anything.

    “This is despite the fact that they are generating revenue from other sources like the N2,500 each candidate pays as post-UTME fee, reparation fee students paid by all students during the last riot and other miscellaneous fees.

    “We workers of College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti are suffering and we will not allow anybody no matter how highly placed to deny us of our legitimate rights.

    “This protest will continue until our demands are met, the exam that supposed to start on Monday (November 6) will be on hold and we want to plead with students to show understanding with us.”

    But the Provost, Mrs. Oyarekua, denied receipt of three months salaries from the state government  maintaining that the college authorities had not received any subvention from the state government.

    She said: “The allegation (of holding on to three month salaries) is not true. In fact, I am embarrassed by the allegation because we have not got any subvention from the government.

    “A particular union is behind the latest crisis in the college; people are free to go and verify from the office of the Accountant General on the situation of things. We have not got any subvention from the 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.”

  • Salary arrears: LASPOTECH lecturers take protest to House of Assembly

    Salary arrears: LASPOTECH lecturers take protest to House of Assembly

    Scores of lecturers and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Thursday besieged the State House of Assembly to protest 87 months of unpaid arrears and other grievances.

    They also demanded the removal of the Rector of the institution, Mr. Samuel Sogunro, whom they alleged was behind the crisis plaguing the institution in recent time.

    The protesters, while noting that the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has been doing a lot to reposition the institution, including increasing subvention for the school, lamented that the management of the institution were discrediting the governor’s effort to improve the fortunes of the school.

    The protesters carried placards, some of which read: “Militarisation and infiltration of arms on campus by the management,” “Reversal of the removal of 4% pension and annuity,” “TETFUND: Denial of scholarship conference/books publishing and research grant to staff members,” among others.

    Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), LASPOTECH branch, Mr. Akinrinlola Ibitoye said the indefinite industrial action being embarked upon by the lecturers and others was as a result of the rector’s misadministration and insensitivity to the issues that affect the welfare of staff in the polytechnic community.

    “We would like to place on record that the on-going industrial action is avoidable. It is as a result of the administration of the polytechnic reneging on the previous tripartite agreement reached on March 7, 2017 by the administration, Council, officials of Ministry of Education and the Staff Unions of the Polytechnic, to commence on the payment of CONTISS 15 migration arrears before the 25th convocation ceremony of the Polytechnic held on March 9, 2017.

    “The Unions further reached an agreement with the Council on 25th May, 2017, giving 21 days window for the payment of CONTISS 15 Migration arrears and the resolution of other issues of which the polytechnic administration and the Governing Council reneged upon.

    “Furthermore, at the congress held on April 20, 2017, the Deputy Rector(Academic) who represented the Rector at the meeting, said that the administration had saved N343,000,000 only as at April, 2017 and are only waiting for the approval of the government to commence implementation.’ This amount could pay 16 months arrears at the first instance,” he said.

    Ibitoye added that the union was, however, aware that the approval of the Council was enough for the payment of the arrears since it could be paid from the funds within the coffers of the Polytechnic, lamenting that the union was at a loss on why the officials of the Ministry who were party to the tripartite agreement on March 7, 2017 were now singing a different tune..

    He added that the staff wanted the security forces within the campus to be withdrawn from immediately, adding that on Wednesday, the union was set aback by the move made by the polytechnic management led Sogunro to incite student against the staff unions, “the effect we considered as barbaric and undemocratic.

    “An executive member of the Union- Comr. Adewunmi Alfred Olorunfemi was badly injured, his wife beaten to stupor by Sogunro’s soldiers and the union bus was vandalised.”

    “We demand the immediate commencement of the payment of the arrears of CONTISS 15 migration. We demand the immediate payments of 16 months arrears based on the availability of N343 million only from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the Polytechnic as announced by the Rector and corroborated by the Deputy Rector (Acad.) While the outstanding of 71 months will be paid within a maximum period of two (2) years,” he added.

    Responding to the protesters, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, condemned the military attack on the workers and assured the protesters that the House would commence investigation into the allegations against the institution.

    “Our institution is not meant for military. Tertiary institutions in Lagos are expected to be manned by security personnel and not officers of the Nigerian army. And we expect that whenever there is any crisis, the police is in the best position to address it not soldiers. We will work swiftly on the issue to ensure that the crisis rocking LASPOTECH is quickly resolved,” Obasa added.

    He warned that anyone that must lead any institution within the state must abide by the rules of engagement.

    He however urged the protesters to continue to resort to peaceful demonstration and refrain from any act that could lead to violence.

     

  • Protest as FUOYE management suspends union leaders

    Protest as FUOYE management suspends union leaders

    Workers of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) on Monday commenced an indefinite strike against alleged victimisation, intimidation and non-payment of hazard allowances.

    Acting under the auspices of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), they also staged a public protest at the school gate and exchanged words with policemen on ground.

    The protesters heckled a team of armed policemen led by Oye Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Sadiku Afolabi, a Superintendent of Police, who warned them against blocking the access road to the campus.

    But the university management has suspended the union leaders for allegedly disrupting the meeting the Governing Council held on the campus last week.

    The angry workers who massed at the gate where they held an emergency congress accused the management of sitting on the promotion of those employed at the inception of the institution while the newly-employed ones were promoted.

    NAAT Chairman, Ekundayo Ajibaye, demanded the withdrawal queries issued them and dissolution of panels allegedly set up to intimidate workers.

    He also said the workers want the immediate constitution of Budget Monitoring Committees alleging financial impropriety against the management.

    Ajibaye said: “We are fighting impunity and corruption is at its peak in FUOYE and we want the Federal Government to beam its searchlight here.”

    NASU Chairman, Dada Adebayo, said workers resorted to industrial action because the management allegedly reneged on the agreement reached after the last crisis in January.

    SSANU Chairman, Babafunso Awe accused the management of being insensitive to workers’ plight saying they won’t back down until all their demands are met.

    Awe also alleged that management has refused to release workers’ cooperative funds which has caused them hardship.

    Reacting, FUOYE spokesman Godfrey Bakji said unions had no basis to go on strike because their leaders have been suspended.

    Bakji described the workers allegation of corruption, intimidation, victimisation and impunity as untrue, baseless, unfounded and an attempt to blackmail the management.

    He said: “The management has issued suspension letters to SSANU and NASU leaders for disrupting a meeting of the governing council.

    “The Council directed that they be issued queries and they were given an opportunity to defend themselves which they failed to take advantage of.

    “On the issue of promotion, those who were qualified for promotion were issued their letters last week.

    “The Act establishing the university does not give room for everybody to be promoted at once, there are processes to be followed.”

    He urged the workers to allow peace to reign, return to their duty posts and see reason with management.

     

  • UI: Students protest against lack of water, light

    UI: Students protest against lack of water, light

    Activities have been grounded at the University of Ibadan due to the strike embarked on by the three non-academic staff unions of the institution.

    They are Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technicians (NAAT).

    The unions began indefinite strike on March 10 to protest against shortfalls in payment of salaries and illegal deduction in pension since December 2016.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the three gates leading into the university were locked.

    Some of the students who reside on the campus told NAN that staying was becoming unbearable due to their inability to access water and electricity.

    They called on the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, to find a way to resolve issues with the striking workers.

    Director of Communication of the university, Olatunji Oladejo, said he was in a management meeting hence could not react immediately.

    NAN reports that the university has no fewer than 8,000 students in the halls of residence.

  • Ondo Varsity resumes academic activities after weeks of strike

    Ondo Varsity resumes academic activities after weeks of strike

    The Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) in Okitipupa has resumed academic activities  after a six-week strike.

    A visit by a correspondent of NAN to the main and the mini campuses on Tuesday showed that the administrative staff was at their duty posts screening new students and registering returning students.

    The unions: Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) in a joint  communiqué on Saturday directed all staff to resume on Monday.

    Mr. Felix Akinnusi, the Acting Registrar, told NAN that both the students and staff had fully resumed.

    “We have resumed fully for the first semester of 2016/2017 academic session with our 100-level students undergoing screening.

    “Our old students are also doing their registration.

    “Although the strike affected academic activities, we will make up for the lost time as the senate will meet to deliberate on it and new academic calendar,” Akinusi said.

    He said that the institution was in high spirit under a new governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and a new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Ogunduyile.

    The unions embarked on an indefinite strike on Jan. 23 in order to compel the former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adegoke Adegbite, to resign his appointment over alleged gross misconduct, corruption and abuse of office.

    The unions also demanded adequate funding, urgent facelift of the institution and appointment of a substantive vice-chancellor.

  • 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.
    ‎
    ‎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.
    ‎
    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.‎
    ‎
    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.
    ‎
    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. ‎