Hot Communique of Joint Action Committee Of Trade Unions (JACTU), Read
JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE OF TRADE UNIONS (JACTU),
FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, OKO
The Chairman,
31:01:14
Governing Council,
Federal
Polytechnic,
Oko
Sir,
COMMUNIQUE OF JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE OF TRADE UNIONS
FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, OKO
Preamble:
A meeting of the Joint Action Committee of Trade
Unions (ASUP, NASU, SSANIP) took place on Friday January 31, 2014. The meeting
took place with a view to discussing common issues that relate to the welfare
of staff, the progress of the polytechnic system. JACTU also examined lingering
but crucial labour issues at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko. Taking cognizance of
the above, JACTU proceeded to the following observations which were later
adopted and resolved as follows:
Observations:
1.
Inauguration
of Governing Council
2.
CONTISS
Migration
3.
Appointment
of rectors
4.
Staff Identity Card
5.
Computer Based Examination
6.
Staff Welfare/ Outstanding arrears
7. General
Administration and Implementation of Management/Unions Agreements
8. Relationship with trade unions on campus
9. Accreditation of Programmes
10. Purported downsizing
11. ASUP/ASUU Strike
12. Security Situation and Governance in Nigeria:
Resolutions:
1.
Inauguration
of Governing Council: JACTU congratulates Chairman and members of
Governing Council on their appointments. JACTU expresses its preparedness to
join hands with the Governing Council in promoting the institution to greater
heights.
2. CONTISS Migration: JACTU rejects the
partial implementation of CONTISS migration and urges management to extend the
full implementation to all categories of staff irrespective of year of
employment. JACTU regrets that unions are not involved at this level of
implementation as a means of ensuring smooth implementation. JACTU also notes
that the October 30, 2013 deadline issued for full implementation was not met.
JACTU also insists that the migration should be backed by appropriate paper and
arrears from July 2013 to October 2013 be paid (see attached circular).
3. Appointment
of Rector: The continued appointment of unqualified people as rectors is an
important aspect of the on-going ASUP nationwide strike. JACTU totally identifies with the position
of ASUP National Executive Council (NEC) and that of ASUP Federal Polytechnic,
Oko Chapter on the need to appoint the Rectors from within the polytechnic
system (see attached). JACTU considers the position as germane, timely and non-negotiable
as reiterated in the Zonal Executive Council of ASUP Zone D Enugu from 14th
to 16th of January, 2014. JACTU is of the view that a polytechnic
generated rector is better equipped to manage the affairs of a polytechnic and
maintains that people who have spent all their time serving the polytechnic
system should be allowed to aspire to the highest office in the system. In this
regard, JACTU reiterates its resolve to reject further appointment of any
rector outside the polytechnic system. As a result, JACTU urges the Governing
Council to begin a process of appointing a polytechnic generated rector in view
of the fact that the tenure of the incumbent rector expires in March 2014. In
at least 19 out of 21 Federal Polytechnics, the rectors are from the
polytechnic sector (see recent advertisements for recruitment of rectors at
Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin-Kebbi and
Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro as attached)
Federal Polytechnic, Oko cannot be an exception. JACTU therefore considers
this position proper in line with the prevailing practice in other Federal
Polytechnics nationwide and cannot be negotiated.
4. Staff Identity Card: JACTU totally rejects any attempt to issue staff
identity cards at a fee at the expense of staff. Precisely, the 2,000 naira
cost for the ID card is not acceptable to the unions. JACTU reminds management
that this matter had long been rejected by all trade unions on campus and
maintains that staff identity cards should be issued without any financial
burden to staff.
5. Computer Based Examination: JACTU notes that staff unions have a moral
burden to point out good directions for good governance. JACTU thus identifies
with the position of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics Oko chapter on the
matter and rejects the computer based objective examinations as a means of
graduating students of the institution. ASUP had ab-initio supplied reasons
negating the implementation of computer-based examinations throughout the
polytechnic and posits that these issues are really worthy of deep consideration.
JACTU is opposed to situations that can compromise quality and standard of
polytechnic education which emphasises skill acquisition. JACTU also notes that
the proposed exercise will have negative spill over effect on the job schedule
of all staff. JACTU then resolves that in view of the foregoing, the
computer-based examination (CBE) is not feasible for now.
6. Staff Welfare/ Outstanding arrears: JACTU
encourages the Governing Council to urgently address the dearth of offices for
all categories of staff. For instance, the situation where chief lecturers and
other senior academic staff share offices is not acceptable. A way out of this
problem is for the Governing Council to initiate massive infrastructural
development at the Oko main campus of the institution. JACTU is also worried
that many genuine staff claims are unpaid including those incurred in 2012.
These staff members were encouraged to use their personal monies with hope of
collecting their monies back soon. JACTU is deeply disturbed about this unattended
management obligation in the face of huge internally generated revenue.
7. General Administration and Implementation of
Management/Unions Agreements: JACTU identified some unresolved issues which have long been brought to
the attention of management by different unions:
·
Non-payment
of outstanding promotion arrears. JACTU urges management to pay outstanding
arrears of promotions. Similarly, JACTU rejects the non-payment of arrears to
some staff omitted in 2012 promotion exercise. JACTU urges management to
harmonize financial date and effective date of omitted promotions.
·
The
continued delay in the election of deans. JACTU regrets the inability of
management to conduct elections into deanship positions a position which could
lead to tyranny.
·
Conversion:
JACTU frowns at the non-teaching to non-teaching reduction in ranks of some
SSANIP members in the 2012 conversions. For instance, all Chief Executive
Officers on CONTISS 13 who were converted were reduced to Principal Assistant
Registrars on CONTISS 12 instead of 13 as contained in the scheme of service.
Consequently, JACTU urges management to laterally harmonize the exercise in the
spirit of fair play.
·
Staff
appointments/preferential treatment: JACTU urges management to confirm the
appointments of staff that are due. Similarly. JACTU is of the view that all
staff employed by the current administration should not be discriminately
placed. Consequently, no staff should be preferentially placed ahead of others.
JACTU condemns this arbitrary high placement of some staff and insists that all
appointments should be harmonised in line with polytechnic scheme of service. JACTU
also rejects the non-payment of salaries to some staff. Generally, JACTU also
rejects the preferential treatment existing with regard to study leave and
observes as anomalous the granting of study leave with pay to unconfirmed
staff.
·
Upgrading:
JACTU insists that upgrading and proper placement should be revisited with a
view to accommodating those who were well qualified but were omitted or
deliberately denied the benefit. JACTU is of the view that the situation
whereby some applications on the issue were treated administratively and same
issue (with similar qualification or more) were referred to committee should be
reviewed.
·
Promotion:
JACTU urges management to complete the external assessment for chief lecturers
and urges management to avoid selective treatment of this matter.
8. Relationship
with Trade Unions: JACTU regrets
that the relationship between unions and management is less than cordial and
urges management to improve its relations with unions. JACTU specifically
bemoans the continual persecution meted to unions and their officials as well
as perceived ardent members and states that this situation is at variance with
the peaceful disposition of all unions on campus. JACTU states this is
unacceptable even as the parent bodies have been updated on this ugly
development. JACTU implores on the Governing Council to check this trend as a
means of promoting industrial harmony. JACTU urges management to respond
positively to issues brought to it by different trade unions on campus. JACTU
urges management to implement all agreements reached with different unions on
campus. JACTU insists that management involves unions on matters affecting the
welfare and career of staff such as CONTISS migration.
9. Accreditation of Programmes: JACTU is of the view that the Governing
Council considers the full accreditation of all programmes. JACTU enjoins on
the Council to also pursue the steady development of all courses such as the
accreditation of Mechanical Engineering to HND level and proper accommodation
of mass communication students from the current unconducive convocation arena
to their new class room block, etc.
10. Purported downsizing:
JACTU is worried about the pervasive information going round that about 400
staff have been pencilled for termination. This matter is generating tension on
campus and JACTU demands an urgent clarification on this matter.
11. ASUP/ASUU Strike: JACTU salutes the Federal Government for
intervening and resolving the ASUU strike and urges Federal Government to
extend the attention to the issues brought before it by trade unions from the
tertiary.
12. Security Situation
and Governance in Nigeria:
JACTU expresses confidence
in the government of President Goodluck Jonathan and urges Nigerians-especially
politicians-to avoid remarks capable of causing disaffection among Nigerians.
JACTU lauds the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan in managing security
challenges in Nigeria but
urges government not to relent in its drive at containing terrorism and
kidnapping in Nigeria.
Conclusion:
JACTU notes that issues 2 to 10 above are critical to
welfare and progress of the institution as well as the maintenance of industrial
peace and notes that the Governing Council has the capacity to deal with these
issues.
Accept sir, the assurances of our utmost regards and
camaraderie.
Dr. Onyeka Uwakwe Lady (Barr.)
Ogugua Ochuba
Chairman ASUP Gen. Secretary ASUP
Ikechukwu Ezenwankwo
Chairman NASU
Secretary NASU
Okoye, George F Barnabas Nwafor
Chairman SSANIP
Secretary SSANIP
Cc:
Chairman
NBTE Board
Executive
Secretary, NBTE
Rector
Federal Polytechnic, Oko
Registrar,
Federal Polytechnic, Oko
National President ASUP
General Secretary
NASU
National
President SSANNIP
Staff Members
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Wednesday, February 05, 2014
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