RSUST Industrial Dispute NASU Seeks Peaceful Resolution

As Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) in the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu, Port Harcourt prepares for an indefinite strike over non-implementation of salary structure, the government has been appealed to follow the path of honour by resolving the industrial dispute.

This is to avert the negative impact of the impending strike on the students, parents and the larger society.

The Chairman of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) in the University Comrade Chuku Ebenezer made the appeal while fielding questions during exclusive interview with  The Tide in his office.

Comrade Ebenezer revealed that at the expiration of NASU’s seven days ultimatum another three days grace would be added to press home their demands.

The NASU Chairman insisted that after the days of grace, the union would embark on what he described as “total strike” stressing that the development would cripple all activities and functions in the institution since members of the union are life wires of the university.

According to him, the most important issue that should attract the sympathy of the state government is the harsh condition of living as experienced by the university staff in the state.

“We work in an environment where some people go home with salary of about N20,000 monthly whereas the bills and responsibilities of such staff is high and enormous,” Ebenezer lamented.

Besides, he explained that Universities which implemented the new University Salary Structure approved by Federal Government in November last year are under one National University Commission (NUC), regulation, Joint Admission  and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as well as other bodies with Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt.

Comrade Ebenezer apparently expressed sympathy with the students and parents on the expected pains the industrial dispute may inflict on them while calling on the stakeholders of the state and education sector to intervene to avert the impending ugly situation in the institution.

Isaac Nwankwo