Union Declares 7-Day Warning Strike In Ebonyi

The College of Education
Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo chapter has declared a seven-day warning strike.
Briefing journalists during the week in Abakaliki, the Chairman of the union, Comrade  Greg Esheye, said that the strike commenced since Monday January 13.
According to him, the union embarked on the warning strike to draw the state government’s attention to its demands.
Esheye claimed that the government had previously failed to heed to ultimatums it gave.
“We have made several entreaties to the government and even issued about three ultimatums to indicate our readiness to embark on strike if our demands are not met.
“By this declaration of a seven-day warning strike, it is hoped that government will do the needful in order to avert an all-out indefinite strike.
“After the seven days, if nothing is done, the union will be left with no option than to shut down the institution through an indefinite strike,’’ the chairman said.
Esheye appealed to the state government to take all necessary steps to resolve all labour disputes in the institution in the interest of industrial harmony.
Among the issues in contention are alleged refusal by the school authorities to revert to old tax regime, non constitution of governing council and non-payment of pension and gratuity to retired workers.
Other issues, he said, included the institution’s non implementation of 65 years retirement age for workers as obtained in the state-owned university.
The union chairman said that the body was committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of its members, and would explore every available legal means to achieve this.
Esheye urged the school authorities to act fast to avert the indefinite strike.
He further called on well meaning individuals and stakeholders to prevail on the government to meet the union’s demands in order to avoid disrupting the school’s calendar.
“We strongly believe in the power of negotiation as we are not enthusiastic in using strike as the last instrument,’’ he said.