The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement a subsisting agreement with the union or face a strike by union members.
The Deputy President and Chairman of Trade Union Group of NASU, Wakili Tijani, and Deputy General Secretary 1, Research and Project, Emma Okonkwor, accused the government of delaying implementation of the agreement reached with the union.
The duo who signed NASU’s communiqué issued at the end of the union’s meeting in Abuja, said that a six-week period of grace given to the Federal Government to commence implementation of the agreement had lapsed without any positive response from the government.
The unionists called on the Federal Government to commence the process of implementing the report within the next 14 days with effect from November 19, 2012, in order to avoid an industrial action which is planned to commence at the end of the 14 days.
NASU however commended the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Ita Ewa, his counterpart in Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina, and the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, for the successful negotiations between the government and the union on August 27, 2012.
“While commending the Ministers of Agriculture, Science and Technology and Labour and Productivity for their positive roles during the last negotiation with government, the Council-in-session noted that the six weeks of grace given the Federal Government to look positively into the grey areas of the agreement had lapsed without any meaningful resolution in sight.
The union also condemned a letter with reference number SWC/S/04S.317/VOL.11/188 dated August 27, 2012 written to the Minister of Agriculture by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission which advised against implementation of the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure for workers in research institutions.
NASU also urged the Federal Government to ensure effective distribution of petroleum products in the country.
The union also warned the Federal Government against any move to increase the pump price of fuel in the country, warning that the perseverance of Nigerians at the filling stations should not be misinterpreted as acceptance of possible increase in the price of petroleum products.
NASU said that the only solution to the problem of fuel supply and distribution in the country was the construction of new refineries as the old refineries lacked the capacity to satisfy local consumption of fuel.
“The council observed that based on past experiences, it is being conjectured that the lingering fuel scarcity is being used by the government to gauge the likely responses of the masses in case of another hike in fuel price.
“Noting that the resilience and docility of the people should not be misconstrued as acceptance of avoidable hardship and endless suffering, the council therefore calls on government to as a matter of urgency wake up to its responsibility by taking all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply without further delay,’’ the unionists stated.
See the article here:
NASU threatens strike over non-implementation of agreement
