Ekiti Poly may sack striking workers

Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Dr. Theresa Akande
| credits: http://sites.corebiztechnologies.com

Striking workers at the Federal Polytechnics, Ado Ekiti, did not return to work on Monday (yesterday) as directed by the authorities of the school.

The Governing Council after its meeting last Friday directed all members of staff and students to return to the school on or before Monday.

It also suspended indefinitely all trade unions and students union activities on campus.

When our correspondent visited the institution on Monday, only a few workers were at their duty posts even as many of the offices were under lock and key.

Security operatives, including policemen, were also stationed at the main gate of the institution to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

The Rector, Dr Theresa Akande, and other top management staff were not around to comment on the level of compliance.

It was learnt that the management of the institution was considering steps to take against the errant workers.

The members of the Non-Academic Staff Union, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics are on strike to protest the non-payment of their allowances.

They also accused the rector of not remitting about N350m funds belonging to their cooperative society, just as they alleged that she deducted pension from contract staff slaries in disregard to the regulations.

However, in a telephone conversation on Monday, the branch NASU Chairman, Prince Adekunle Adeniyi, described the rumoured plot to sack workers as “an empty threat.”

According to him, the proscription of union activities on campus is against the freedom of association enshrined in the constitution.

“The workers won’t suffer any punishment as a result of this strike. I expect that the Federal Government would first investigate the over six allegations we levelled against Akande before threatening fire and brimstone. So, the threat to us is like a drama.”

A top member of staff in the institution, however, said the management might have no choice but to sack errant workers.

“Whoever fails to honour the directive given by President Goodluck Jonathan on behalf of whom the council had acted will be committing a grievous offence because the council is the employer. It will be a clear case of insubordination.

“The Governing Council took the action on behalf of the Federal Government. So, we have not in any way gone against the constitution.

“Workers would have to choose between the Governing Council, which is their employer, and trade unions in deciding whether to return to work or not.”