By Auwal Ahmad Gombe
Management of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Gombe state has declared a ‘no work, no pay’ policy following the indefi nite strike embarked by lecturers of the institution. Th is was disclosed in a statement signed by Ibrahim Shehu, Director, Establishment and Council Aff airs on Sunday in Gombe. Shehu described the action by lecturers under the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) as “uncalled for.” He added that the management of the institution has no option but to apply the policy in line with directives by the federal government. Th e director accused the lecturers of insensitivity to the management’s constraints, especially in view of the prevailing fi nancial situation in the country.
He noted that the crisis leading to the indefi nite strike began shortly after the present executive of COEASU was inaugurated in April this year. “On April 19, 2017, the union approached the college management with some demands which include the issue of salary shortfalls from February to date, outstanding payment of Peculiar Academic Allowance (PAA) arrears and inclusion of same in their monthly salaries, among others.
“Th e college management informed COEASU that the college fi nances could not accommodate their demands at the moment. “One month PPA and 25 per cent of the Conference Attendance Allowance (CAA) were paid to the academic staff ,” he said. Continuing, he said: “It was agreed that when the federal government releases the funds for 2015 promotion arrears and salary shortfalls these would be paid without delay. “COEASU decided to embark on a three-day warning strike beginning from Wednesday, July 5, to Friday, July 7. “On the expiration of the three-day warning strike, COEASU declared an indefi nite strike with eff ect from Tuesday, July 11, 2017.”
