The authority of  the Federal College of Education (Technical)Gombe has told lecturers at theinstitution who are presently on strike to get back to work or riskthe implementation of the FederalGovernment’s ‘no work, no pay’policy.





This was made known in astatement signed by Ibrahim Shehu,Director, Establishmentand Council Affairs on behalf ofthe registrar of the college and issued on Sunday.He described the industrialaction embarked by the institution’s branch of College of Education Academic Staff Union,COEASU, as uncalled for, thus leaving the management of the institution with the only option of applying the policy in line with the federal government’s directives.

The management of the college accused the lecturers of insensitivity to its constraints,especially with the prevailing financial situation in the country.In the statement, Shehu explained that the crisis that led to the indefinite strike began shortly after the present executive of the Union was inaugurated in April this year.

He said the Union, precisely on April 19, 2017 engaged the college management with over the issue of salary shortfalls from February to date; outstanding payment of Peculiar Academic Allowance,PAA, arrears andinclusion ofsome in their monthly salaries among other demands.

“The College management informed COEASU that the college finances cannot accommodate their demands at the moment. However, one month PPA and 25 percent of the Conference Attendance Allowance, CAA, were paid to
the academic staff.

 “It was agreed that when the Federal Government releases the funds for 2015 promotion arrears and salary shortfalls, these would be paid without delay,” the
statement added.

Shehu said COEASU barely a month after the engagement wrote the management, requesting for the payment of the balance of 50% of the CAA, PAA as well asthe shortfalls in salaries and 2015 promotion arrears.
He said the college management in response set up a committee to negotiate with them but could not
reach conclusive agreement as the lecturers insisted that they must be paid the balance of the PAA and at least one month’s CAA.

The statement further explained that the college governing council,in its inaugural meeting held on
June 20, 2017, met with COEASU and offered to pay 25 percent of the CAA for 2016/2017 session.
He said the lecturers decided to proceed on a three-day warning strike from Wednesday, July 5, to Friday, July 7 at the expiration of expiration of which they declaredan indefinite strike with effect from Tuesday, July 11, 2017.