COEASU threatens fresh strike, vows to resist intimidation via No Work, No Pay rule
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Workers under the aegis of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) threatened to resist ongoing attempt to cow Nigerian workers through No work, No pay rule by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The leadership of the Union which accused Nigerian government of neglecting children of less privileges in various public schools, threatened to embark on nationwide strike if Federal Government fails to accede to the demands of its members in the 70 Colleges of Education spread across the country.
Nuhu Ogirima, COEASU National President who stated this via a statement obtained by BusinessDay, however vowed that the labour centres will resist any draconian rule against workers.
“The Federal Government, rather than own up to her failure to deliver good governance, by addressing our issues and, indeed, those of the larger populace, has threatened no work no pay.
“This grand standing is a mark of not only insensitivity but also irresponsibility towards the law abiding labour force of our dear country.
“Recall that we have been receiving fractional/mutilated salaries for years in all Federal Colleges of Education, especially because of the non-inclusion of PAA. Where salaries are paid, it is the cooperative societies’ membership subscriptions and Unions’ dues that are being used to service/augment government allocation for salaries.
“So, if we didn’t threaten government with no pay no work, why would government threaten us with no work no pay because we’re now requesting government to pay us full salary, by the strike?
“Conversely, FG disposition has only vindicated our perception that the current Federal Government does not care for the less privileged, whose children constitute over 90% of Colleges of Education students’ population.
“Else, how would FG justify its refusal to implement 2014 NEEDS Assessment report on the 70 public COEs, which review it called for again in 2017, when it began the implementation of same report for another tertiary education institution, to which the children and wards of the elites subscribe, in 2015?
“What justification has FG to refuse the full implementation of CONTISS 15 by denying the lower cadre of COEs, much more so when the same FG did for a sister sub-sector both of whom a presidential approval was given in 2009?
“As we conclude the first phase of the national strike, we urge you all to be not distracted by the intimidation and threat of no work, no pay. The threat should rather strengthen our resolve that enough is enough of exploitative work. It’s no pay, no work!
“Recall that there has not been any commensurate adjustment in salary since the pump price of fuel was unadjusted astronomically. We’ve never been more impoverished than now, it has been exploitation galore for this administration, I dare say.
“Furthermore, FG commitment to the renegotiation has been quite questionable, as it has not come to terms with us on our proposed salary structure and a host of other issues. So, do brace up for a prolonged battle – it is a no retreat no surrender action, for if we refused to stand for COE system now, we may not get it right again,” the COEASU President noted.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja