Dare Babalola
The Taraba State Government has served a formal reminder to the striking university unions at State University, Jalingo, reaffirming its commitment to enforcing the “No Work, No Pay” policy for the duration of the ongoing industrial dispute.
In a notice issued on Wednesday, addressed to the Vice Chancellor of the University and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), branch of the institution, the government cited provisions of the Trade Union Disputes Act.
The notice specifically referenced Section 43 of the Act, which stipulates that employers, particularly government institutions, are not obligated to pay wages to employees who participate in strike actions.
The statement, signed by Tertiary Institutions Commissioner Mike Dio, noted that the law clearly stipulates workers who withdraw their services during a strike are not entitled to salaries for the duration of the industrial action.
Additionally, the period spent on strike, according to the statement, will not be considered part of pensionable service.
The government explained that the reminder became necessary after a series of negotiations and mediation efforts between authorities and the striking unions failed to produce a resolution that would allow academic activities to resume.
“As negotiations and mediation have not yielded the desired outcome for the striking university unions to return to work, the government has no option but to invoke the relevant section of the Act,” the notice stated.
Despite the firm stance, the government also made an appeal to the unions to reconsider their position and suspend the strike in the interest of students and the academic community.
Authorities emphasised that suspending the industrial action would help restore smooth academic operations at the university and prevent further disruption to the academic calendar.
The communication concluded with assurances of the state government’s regards and goodwill, while urging union leaders to cooperate in resolving the dispute and reopening the institution for normal academic activities.
The ongoing strike, as noticed by DAILY POST has continued to affect academic programs at the university, leaving many students uncertain about when lectures and other academic activities will resume.
