The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has stated reasons why it won't allow the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to negotiate on its behalf in trade disputes.
Chairman, University of Ilorin (UTH) branch of ASUU, Prof. Moyosore Ajao said that the union have peculiarities of their profession that the NLC might not fully understand, so therefore they cannot negotiate if they don't know the peculiarities and the challenges of the union.
Secondly, he said that union is not happy with the leadership of the NLC in some of the way and manner they have coordinated the affair of the union.
While stressing that ASUU has its own leadership but is an affiliate of the NLC, and never withdrawn their affiliate, Prof. Ajao stated that it's leadership deals with the responsibilities of the union.
He said,
“Every time we meet with the government for negotiation, NLC is always represented. But they can only come in as watching brief. I cannot come and negotiate your marriage and children with you when I am not part of the marriage, but I can come as a moderator to ensure things are done normally.
“NLC cannot take the responsibility of the leadership of the ASUU to say they want to negotiate for it.
“ASUU can no longer trust leaders of the NLC who have sold out. Some of them are even richer than some governors. So, I have no apology for those who wine and dine with the government and share a national cake with political leaders. ASUU has no apology for that."
The chairman argued that ASUU does not fight every successive government in the country, but rather challenge every government not to destroy the educational system of the nation.
Furthermore, he urged trade union leaders in the country to be guided by principles and ideas while demanding their rights from their employers.
Prof. Ajao stated that members of the unions should also desist from placing a high premium on monetary gains as against collective interest.
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