Oshiomhole threatens to sack striking teachers

 

 

 

 

Any of the striking teachers of Edo State who fails to report to work by Friday would have his or her post declared vacant, the Edo State government announced on Wednesday.

Edo State chapter of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) had ordered its members to proceed on indefinite strike following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given to the state government to protest the non-inclusion of teachers in the newly approved minimum wage bill.

However, the state government, in a statement signed by the commissioner for education, Ekpenisi Omorotionmwan, faulted the teachers for embarking on a strike instead of dialoguing with the government like the non-teaching staff of primary and secondary schools and the judiciary workers who were not captured in the approved wage bill.

“We wish to recall an agreement between Edo state government on one hand, the NLC, TUC and JNC on the 11th of July, 2011 wherein it was agreed that any sector that may have issues with the implementation of the new minimum wage and the consequential adjustment therefrom should make a case for the consideration of government,” Mr Omorotionmwan said. “It is therefore sad to note that the NUT, instead of following this path of peace like others has done, immediately resorted to strike without first honouring government’s invitation to make a case for themselves. Apart from being away from their duty posts, thereby paralysing academic activities in all public schools for the past one week, the NUT has also resorted to smear tactics, mudslinging, cheap blackmail and other acts which are reminiscent of desperation on the part of the NUT leadership.”

He said it was unacceptable that the strike action was embarked upon without the teachers’ union first honouring government’s invitation to make a case for itself and that the NUT has not communicated to government its areas of displeasure with the minimum wage.

No work, no pay

Mr. Omorotionmwan described the strike action embarked upon by the teachers as “hasty, unnecessary, unjustified and a total breach of the agreement between government and organised labour.” He therefore ordered the striking teachers to return to work or risk being sacked.

“The ‘no work, no pay’ policy shall be applied on all striking teachers in Edo State with effect from Tuesday, 19th July, 2011 when they criminally absconded from their duty posts,” he said. “All striking teachers in Edo State have up till Friday to return to their duty posts or risk losing their jobs. Any duty post not manned at the expiration of this three days deadline, shall be declared vacant. Edo State Government would not hesitate to advertise such vacancies and take immediate steps to fill same.”

He however extended the olive branch to the aggrieved teachers, saying they have an opportunity to reopen negotiation with the state government.

“If the NUT or any sector for that matter has issues arising from the implementation of the new minimum wage and the consequential adjustment across the grades, such sectors are still at liberty to make their case like others have done for the consideration of government,” he said.