The management of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe State has warned striking lecturers to return to work or risk implementation of the ‘no work no pay’ policy.
This was contained in a statement yesterday by the Director, Establishment and Council Affairs, Ibrahim Shehu, on behalf of the Registrar.
Shehu described the strike as ‘uncalled for’, saying it left the management with the option of applying the ‘no-work no-pay’ policy.
The management accused the lecturers of insensitivity to its constraints, especially with the prevailing financial situation in the country.
The statement said the crisis, which led to the indefinite strike, began shortly after the current executive of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) was inaugurated in April.
According to him, the union, precisely on April 19, engaged the management over salary shortfalls (February till date); outstanding payment of Peculiar Academic Allowance (PAA) arrears, and inclusion of some in their monthly salaries, among other demands.
The statement reads: “The management informed COEASU that the school’s finances could not accommodate their demands at the moment. However, one month PPA and 25 per cent of the Conference Attendance Allowance (CAA) were paid.
“It was agreed that when the Federal Government releases funds for 2015 promotion arrears and salary shortfalls, these would be paid without delay.”
But COEASU, barely a month after this, wrote the management, requesting for the payment of the balance of 50 per cent of the CAA, PAA, salary shortfalls and 2015 promotion arrears,” Shehu added.
He said the management in response set up a committee to negotiate with the union but could not reach conclusive agreement as the lecturers insisted they must be paid balance of the PAA and at least one month’s CAA.
