Unions shut down activities in FCE (T), Akoka

As the fourteen days ultimatum given to the government and management of the Federal College of Education (Technical) FCE(T), Akoka elapsed, the three major unions in the university have gone on an indefinite strike.

The unions which includes the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, Non Academic Staff Union, NASU, and Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education in Nigeria, SSUCOEN protested in the school carrying placards and chanting songs of solidarity.

On the placards were inscriptions like: 'pay our 16 months 2013 annual increment arrears,' 'pay shift duty allowance to our shift duty members,' we say no to insensitivity to staff welfare,' 'no to recklessness,' 'non-payment of salary increment since 2013,' 'staff of FCE (T) Akoka deserves the best,' 'COEASU say no to oppression.'

Speaking during the protest, the Chairman, COEASU, Mr Olayanju Taiwo said they are calling on management and government to pay their arrears and promote deserving members.

"We haven't received our promotion arrears since October 2013, incremental arrears too, and our promotion is being delayed since 2013.

"The college is saying that they have not being given the money and they are working on the promotion so we want the government to hear our cry and act on it if it is true because other colleges have received their pay," he said.

For the Chairman, SSUCOEN, Mr Nicholas ogbusuo, the college management is not being fair to them.

"They have paid the senior staff some allowances but refuse to pay the junior staff. 

"The Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau said he has released the money but our management is saying the money has not been release. We want the government to come and explain why," he noted.

The Chairman Non-Academic Staff Union, Mr Ogunmokun Oladapo, who also spoke at the rally said he agrees with the school management that the money has not been released but wonders why other colleges have been paid.

Meanwhile the Provost of the College, Dr Sijibomi Olusanya who had earlier instructed the members to stop obstructing traffic and informed the school Chief Security Officer to get them arrested, was busy clearing the road for free movement of vehicles while the protest was going on.

When journalists approached him for his comment, he said: "No comment, come on Monday." 

At the end of the rally, members were told by leaders of the unions to go to their various offices, get their bags, go home and wait for further instructions.

End