From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Nigeria Union of Teachers, Kaduna State Wing, has distanced itself from a purported planned protest by a so-called “Coalition of Primary School Teachers (CPST) on non-implementation of Minimum Wage.
This was contained in a statement by Ibrahim Dalhatu and Adamu, Ayuba Kaltungo, State Chairman and State Secretary, respectively.
The statement stated that the Coalition of Primary School Teachers CPST is not an organ of the Union. Hence, it has no “Locus standi” to advocate on behalf of our members, be it primary or secondary. Suffice it to say that only the Nigeria Union of Teachers has the mandate to speak on behalf of teachers, be it primary or secondary school.
The statement further stated that the leadership of the Union has been in constant meetings 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.
The Union consented to the idea of teachers’ verification in view of the envisaged benefit, as the importance of data cannot be overemphasized in any setup.
The leadership of the Union stressed that it has consulted widely with its members through various organs.
” It was obvious that our goals and values vary 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 member’s rights through collective bargaining.
“There is no gainsaying that the present administration, as opposed to the former despondent, is open to fair negotiation. Strikes, protests, or any form of expression of grievance or dissatisfaction becomes eminent only when doors for negotiation are seal.
“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 are 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 the result of their findings before the expiration of the mandate given by the NLC and their affiliates.”
