NASU gives FG 21-day ultimatum

Dapo Falade, Ado-Ekiti - 16.05.2008

THE Non-Academic Staff Union of the Polytechnics and Allied Insttitutions (NASU) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to return to the negotiation table with it or it would order its members to embark on an indefinite strike.

The warning, contained in a release signed by the National General Secretary of the union, Prince Peters Adeniyi, was part of the resolutions passed at its meeting, held at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, between May 13 and 14.

Expressing concern over the Federal Government’s renegotiation team’s deviation on an earlier agreement reached with the union that its output would be considered in deciding its welfare, the union said it was disgusted at the team for submitting the outcome of the negotiation to the Federal Government when the negotiation had not been ratified.

The union also rebuked the Federal Government team for sidelining and depriving the members of the union to contribute to the matters that affects them, alleging that the Federal Government was employing double standard in the negotiation, adding that it showed government’s insincerity towards making life better for Nigerian workers.

Admonishing the government’s team to return to dialogue, rather than applying arm-twisting tactics, the union further advised that much as its members were not interested in embarking on industrial action, they could be pressured to taking the step as an alternative if the government fails to heed their call.