*Count us out of it -NUT
Idibia Gabriel, Kaduna
A coalition of primary school teachers (CPST) planned protests over non-implementation of minimum wage in kaduna state has begin to generate reactions, posing a serious threat to Governor Uba Sani led administration.
Already, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), kaduna state wing has dissociated itself from the CPST planned protest threats, arguing that the coalition is not an organ of the teachers Union, and therefore has no “Loco standi” to advocate on behalf of members, be it primary or secondary.
A statement yesterday signed by NUT state chairman and Secretary Ibrahim Dalhatu Adamu, and Ayuba Kaltungo, added that only NUT has the mandate to speak for teachers in such matter.
The NUT statement made available to newsmen Wednesday in kaduna is titled: “Re: Coalition of primary school teachers (CPST) planned protest on non implementation of minimum wage”.
“The attention of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Kaduna State Wing has been drawn to a purported planned protest by a so called “Coalition of Primary School Teachers (CPST) on non-implementation of Minimum Wage via a Press Conference widely circulated on social media.
“To Set The Record Straight: Coalition of Primary School Teachers CPST is not an organ of the Union, hence, it has no “Loco standi” to advocate on behalf of our members, be it primary or secondary.
“Suffice to say that only the Nigeria Union of Teachers has the mandate to speak on behalf of teachers be it primary or secondary school.Crux Of The Matter: Non-implementation of minimum wage.
“The leadership of the Union has been in constant meeting with the (SUBEB) on the issue of Minimum Wage. Subsequently, the State Government set up a Committee on teacher biometrics and other Civil Servants as a prerequisite for the implementation of Minimum Wage”, it stated.
The Union also stated that its consented to the idea of teachers’ verification in view of the envisaged benefit, as the importance of data cannot be overemphasized in any setup.
On its position, NUT stressed that “The leadership of the Union has consulted widely with our members through our various organs. It was obvious that our goals and values varies with that of the dissident group called CPST.
“We do not align with the idea of protest. We understand and consent to the importance of expressing dissent and advocating for our members right through collective bargaining.
There is no gainsaying that the present administration as opposed to the former despondent is open to fair negotiation. Strikes, protest or any form of expression of grievance or dissatisfaction becomes eminent only when doors for negotiation are sealed.Clarion call:
“The leadership of the Union wishes to call on all teachers to exercise restrain as the Union in conjunction with NLC is working assiduously to ensure that consequential adjustment which the Union and NLC is advocating, is adopted by the State Government and minimum wage implemented with the consequential adjustment to teachers in the primary and secondary schools.
“The Union also wishes to call on His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani, Executive Governor of Kaduna State to prevail on the verification committee to expedite action and submit result of their findings before the expiration of the mandate given by the NLC and their affiliates”, it added.
