Latest On Polytechnic Strike In Joint Action Committee Of Trade Unions (JACTU) Communique

                                               

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 14^th to 16^th 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