The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) has distanced itself from the indefinite strike declared by the FCT wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
ASUSS FCT Chairman, Mr. Julius Ogundiran, told reporters in Abuja on Tuesday that his union is independent of the NUT and should not be associated with the ongoing industrial action.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the NUT had, on Friday, directed primary and secondary school teachers in the FCT to commence an indefinite strike from Monday over unresolved welfare issues.
According to the NUT, the action followed the FCT Administration’s continued silence on demands including a 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase, as well as a 40 per cent peculiar allowance.
Ogundiran, however, said ASUSS would not succumb to pressure to join the strike. He directed its members to disregard the NUT’s directive and continue academic activities.
He explained that the NUT primarily represents primary school teachers, while ASUSS caters to secondary school teachers and is affiliated with the Trade Union Congress.
He further advised secondary school teachers still registered with the NUT to withdraw their membership and join ASUSS.
Ogundiran noted that many of the NUT’s demands relate to primary schools, which fall under area councils, whereas secondary schools are managed by the FCT Administration.
He added that the administration does not owe secondary school teachers any outstanding entitlements, apart from concerns regarding the “vacancies” precondition for the promotion of classroom teachers.
“Another issue that involved us is the call for the review of the 2024 promotion exercise conducted by the FCT Civil Service Commission. However, the FCT Head of Service and the commission are already addressing it. Therefore, we have no grievances with the FCT Administration and should not have been drawn into the strike,” he said.
He also noted that issues such as wage awards and the ₦70,000 minimum wage had already been addressed by the FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike.
