By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, FCT Chapter, has come out to distance itself from the ongoing strike action which was declared by the FCT Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT.
This position was made known on Tuesday by the ASUSS FCT Chairman, Mr Julius Ogundiran while briefing some journalists in Abuja, vowing that no amount of pressure from the NUT would make ASUSS to join the strike.
Ogundiran declared that members of the union are not part of NUT demands, and will continue with academic activities.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers had embarked on indefinite strike on Monday as a result of what it called unresolved requests.
He said the decision is in line with constitutional and labour provisions that guarantee freedom of association.
The chairman alleged that the issues NUT members are agitating for do not affect secondary school staff.
Issues like wage award and vacancy for teachers have been addressed, and we are not part of them” Ogundiran said.
In addition, he explained that other issues that have not been totally resolved have received the attention of FCT administration, insisting that primary school teachers welfare falls under the area councils, “We are being paid by FCTA not Area Councils.
Ogundiran backed his argument with Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for the right of individuals to freely associate or choose not to belong to any union.
He also referenced Section 12(4) of labour laws, stressing that no individual can be compelled to comply with the directives of an organisation they are not affiliated with.
According to him, the Office of the Head of Service, alongside the relevant commission, has begun releasing promotion letters in batches.
He added that engagements by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) have also contributed to resolving the disputes, making the strike unnecessary for ASUSS members.
Corroborating, the acting secretary of ASUSS, Peter Afolayan, who debunked rumour that the association is illegal, said the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools is duly registered as affiliate of Trade Union Congress, TUC, to stand for the members interest in the secondary schools.
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