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The academic and non academics staff unions in Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo (EACOED) have accepted 30 percent pay cut as against the option of allowing the downsizing of the workforce to solve the institution’s financial crisis.
The financial issues rocking the institution has led to non-payment of salaries as well as prolonged industrial actions.
The unions embarked on industrial action since June 28, 2018 over non-payment of their salary arrears. The governing council has however now agreed to clear the salaries in installments.
On Thursday, the workers union said they agreed to accepting 70 percent salary as a sacrifice in the interest of the entire staff which he said is a better option to laying off some workers for a few to collecting full pay.
The decision was reached and contained in a communique issued at the end of long meeting between the workers union, government council, institution’s management and representatives of the government on the school campus.
The communique was read on behalf of the parties by the Registrar and Council Secretary, Mr Teslim Adediran was signed by COEASU Chairman, Mr Segun Oyewunmi, SSUCOEN Chairman, Mr O. S Adeniji and NASU Chairman, Mr Fatai Adebayo.
It reads in parts: “The unions agreed to settle for payment of 70 percent salary as a sacrifice on our parts rather than opting for downsizing of staff to guarantee full monthly salary.
“The unions agreed with the council that the 70 percent salary should be subjected to review by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Management Committee (RMAMC) as situation improves.
“It was agreed that the RMAMC must meet quarterly to review the situation.
“We hereby admonish members of the various unions to desist from engaging in hate speech because it was not only damaging to the system but criminal.
“It was agreed that the apology letter written by COEASU was accepted by the council.
“The meeting agreed that the letter should be re-written to reflect the pledge of COEASU that the ugly incident of November 1 would not repeat itself and all stakeholders must guarantee peace.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education,Dr Bisi Akin-Alabi, who was also at the meeting, appreciated the council, staff unions and students for their cooperation, assuring them of government’s commitment toward ensuring total transformation of the education sector in the state.
She explained that subvention to tertiary institutions were cut due to paucity of funds.
“I am sure you all know the efforts of Gov. Abiola Ajimobi in transforming the education of the state. These efforts have culminated in the successes recorded so far in the sector.
She said, “This state prides itself as the intellectual capital of Nigeria. The restoration and sustenance of this glory is what the governor has been working on since inception.
“He achieved a lot on this and has not relented. I assure you that all measures would be evolved toward transforming the state to human capital hub, where human capital will be exported.”
The Acting Chairman of the Council, Elder Kayode Omotoso and the Provost, Dr Rasak Adefabi, were also present at the meeting.
Staffs unions also present include representatives of College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).