Efio-Ita Nyok|10 November 2017
In a memo titled, CRUTECH STRIKE BULLETIN NO 1, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), CRUTECH chapter, has explained why it decided on an indefinite industrial action yesterday our correspondent has learnt.
According to the said memo, the leadership of ASUU CRUTECH, after exhausting every effort to address the challenges bedevilling the smooth running of Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) with the management, decided to meet with the Visitor of the University, His Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade. And on several occasions, according to them, the visitor failed to meet with them.
In fact, after ASUU numerous letters were ignored, she approached ASUU National Executive Council, which on 19th August, 2017, wrote the state governor a letter —this effort also failed; the Chairman of Council of CRUTECH on September 20, 2017 was notified too on ten issues begging for attention which were not addressed, so they decided on a final, complete and indefinite industrial action. Read memo:
It is on record, that ASUU CRUTECH has done everything within her power, including forfeiture of some entitlements, amounting to huge sums of money, in order to ensure that CRUTECH survives for the benefits of our students and the State. Finally, it has become imperative that we meet with the Visitor, and discuss CRUTECH, to avert its impending collapse.
In search of solutions to the lingering issues militating against progressive academic activities, ASUU CRUTECH Expanded Executive Council met with CRUTECH Management on August 26, 2016. Far reaching resolutions were made and signed by both parties. To strengthen the resolutions and other issues raised, a visitation team sent by ASUU NEC to CRUTECH met with the Governing Council and Management of CRUTECH on September 23, 2016. The Governing Council promised to implement the resolutions, with deadlines provided. Regrettably, deadlines have long lapsed and key aspects of the resolutions are not met.
Recall that ASUU CRUTECH has written series of letters, seeking audience with the Visitor, Cross River University of Technology, Sen. Prof Ben Ayade, to address the issues bedeviling CRUTECH. Surprisingly, none of these letters were responded to, nor any official invitation extended to the Union for a meeting.
As a proactive Union that believes in amicable conflict resolution, ASUU CRUTECH requested the assistance of ASUU NEC in their quest to meet with the Visitor. NEC in her wisdom, granted the request, and consequently wrote a letter, dated 19th August, 2017, to the Visitor, seeking audience for discussions on how to find solution to issues affecting CRUTECH. Again, the Visitor neither acknowledged receipt of the letter nor responded to the letter by extending an invitation to the NEC Team.
Still in search of an amicable way of conflict resolution, the Union wrote the Chairman of Council on September 20, 2017, informing him that we may not guarantee industrial peace if these issues are not adequately addressed.
The key outstanding issues include:
i. Inadequate funding of the University for infrastructural development
ii .Non-implementation/Payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and the arrears
iii .Non-remittance of check off dues and ASUU Cooperative Society deductions
iv. Non-payment of arrears of Teaching Practice Allowances, Economic Rent and Promotion arrears,
v. Failure to grant Tax Rebate to CRUTECH Staff
vi. Non-payment of 1% Local Government deductions to the University
vii. Amendment of the University law in line with the University Miscellaneous Amendment ACT to reflect the proper tenures of the Registrar, Bursar and University Librarian.
visits. Non-remittance of National Housing Fund deductions.
ix. Insecurity and encroachment on University land
x. Infringement on CRUTECH Autonomy
At the ASUU CRUTECH Congress of November 8, 2017, Congress deliberated exhaustively on these lingering issues which led to the strike action earlier suspended by the Union, as they have put our members in difficult circumstances and negatively affected their service delivery. In order to rescue CRUTECH from impending collapse, Congress was left with no other option, than to resume its strike action earlier suspended on May 6, 2015. For the avoidance of doubt, the strike is total, comprehensive and indefinite, with effect from 12.01am, November 9, 2017.
What to do:
i. Do not teach any course whatsoever
ii. Do not attend any statutory meeting: Departmental/Faculty Board, Senate, Congregation or Council etc
iii. Do not conduct or supervise any examination at any level
iv. Do not engage in supervision of project or theses at any level
v. Do not allow yourself to be forced to teach, supervise theses and projects at any level or attend meetings by anybody.
Note:
Any ASUU member, be it Heads of Departments or Deans, that violates the strike will face the full wrath of the Union.
United We Bargain, Divided We Beg!!
NegroidHaven is yet to confirm these allegations especially against the visitor. I am calling on the state government to look into the crisis.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of NegroidHaven
