The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Trade Unions that comprises COEASU, ASUP, SSUCOEN and SSANIP in the six Oyo state owned tertiary has demanded from Oyo State government under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde to fast track the implementation of adjusted new minimum wage for all workers in the state owned tertiary institutions. The umbrella of association of all tertiary institutions in the Oyo state also charged Oyo state government on the need to conduct accreditation and reaccreditation in the three institutions in Oyo State.
The demand of the Joint Action Committee was contained in a communiqué issued and signed by the JAC’s Chairman, Comrade Olusegun Oyewumi at the meeting held at the Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate.
Below is the excerpt;
THE COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE (JAC) OF TRADE UNIONS (COEASU, ASUP, SSUCOEN AND SSANIP) IN THE SIX OYO STATE OWNED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, HELD AT THE OYO STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION , LANLATE ON JANUARY 7, 2021
INTRODUCTION
The body met to consider sundry issues across all the institutions. While the body commends the positive posture of the government of the day towards the general welfare of staff and the general improvements especially in the tertiary education sector and the education sector at large, the body considered specific issues and decided thus:
1. Accreditation Exercises: Situation reports across the institutions indicate that there is an urgent need for accreditation and reaccreditation exercises in some of the institutions especially at The Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate, The Oke Ogun Polytechnic Saki and Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora. JAC wishes the government to provide necessary wherewithals to expedite accreditation exercises in the above institution. While the body commended the government on the just concluded accreditation exercises in The Polytechnic Ibadan and Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa, it equally charged government to provide requisite funds to cater for the facilities demanded by the accreditors to make accreditation of courses in Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa a meaningful one like The polytechnic, Ibadan.
2. Lingering Unresolved Promotion Issues: The body noted with dismay the non implementation of 2018 and 2019 promotions in Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo and Oyo State College of education, Lanlate and the non-conclusion of the 2020 promotions in EACOED, Oyo. College of education Lanlate is yet to commence 2020 promotion. Also noted is the issue of promotion arrears that spans from 2016 to 2019 in these institutions. JAC hereby demands the immediate implementation of 2018 and 2019 promotions at the affected institutions by January 2021 salary as well as commencement of 2020 promotion in Lanlate failing which we will no longer be able to guarantee industrial harmony in all the affected institutions.
3. Commencement of the Implementation of Consequential Adjustment on the New Minimum Wage: Following the completion of the minimum wage negotiations between JAC and government, the body urges that steps should be taken to wrap up signing of requisite documents within the next three working days in line with the agreement reached at the meeting of December 20, 2020 at the Ministry of Education, Ibadan. Upon the mandate of its general members JAC hereby demand that the January 2021 salary must so reflect the consequential adjustment on new minimum wage and with the arrears of December 2020 as agreed failing which JAC will proceed on total industrial action immediately January salary is paid.
4. Lanlate Investigative Panel Report: Following the miscarriage of justice by the investigative panel in its recommendations as clearly pointed out by JAC, the body hereby demands for a review of the investigative panel report by the government within the next fourteen(14) days serving justice appropriately.
5. Security Situation in Ibarapa Zone: JAC considered the spate of kidnapping, assassination and banditry in Ibarapa Zone. Although the renewed efforts of the state government in curtailing criminality is well appreciated in the area, the body demand the government to do more to improve on security situations in the zone to ensure the safety of life and property of staff and students in the three tertiary institutions in the Zone and the entire Ibarapa community.
6. Vote of confidence: The body reviewed the activities of its leadership and unanimously passed a vote of confidence on its leadership and renew its resolve to remain one indivisible body that will continue to agitate and defend the rights of all its members.