Life and business have returned to usual to all public primary and secondary schools as the Akwa-Ibom state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers called-off their strike, yesterday, Monday. They embarked on an indefinite strike on 19 January, 2015. They said the resolution to call off the strike was due to the intervention of the Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio.
It was gathered that Gov. Akpabio and officials of government, met the NUT leaders on Monday and impressed it on them to end the strike, promising to swiftly implement all the issues in dispute soon.
Cascade of Issues
The chairman of NUT, Mr. Etim Ukpong said it became imperative to call out the workers for strike to press home their demands for a number of issues which include: the payment of promotion arrears (2009-2012); leave grant for 2013, January 2015 salary and leave grant for 2015.
Other issue was the non-absorbtion of teachers of Akwa-ibom origin who were sacked by the Cross river state government in a move to strictly implement the indigenisation policy in Cross River State. Part of their grievances was the authentication of total number of teachers of community schools taken over by government and determination of cash involvement concerning all arrears of gratuities and pensions for retired primary schools’ teachers.
The Head of Service (HoS), Mrs Cecilia Udoessien, thanked the union leaders for accepting to end the strike and enjoined them to always exhaust all possible avenues for resolving grievances, adding that strike should never be the only option for resolving industrial dispute.
However, the NUT said they resolved to go on strike because other measures, including dialogue failed.
