COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MEETING BETWEEN THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND THE ASSOCIATION OF SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS OF NIGERIA (ASCSN) HELD ON 2^ND JUNE, 2009 AT THE INSTANCE OF THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND PRODUCTIVITY IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF LABOUR AND PRODUCTIVITY, FEDERAL SECRETARIAT, PHASE 1, ABUJA

At the meeting held between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), over some issues of concern to the Union;

1.        The Federal Ministry of Education reiterated its position that the present Administration of the Federal Government has no intention whatsoever to cede or sell the Federal Unity Colleges;

2.        On the issue of the reintroduction of JS 1-3 component of Federal Unity Colleges, the Report of Senator Zwingina’s Committee on the repositioning of Federal Unity Colleges, the restoration of JS component was appraised. In addition, the following were noted:

i)                   That there is a genuine intention by Government to reintroduce the Junior Secondary Classes in Federal Unity Colleges;

ii)                 That a Committee has been set up to work out the modalities for the reintroduction of the JS Classes and efforts should be made by the Federal Ministry of Education to fast track the process while the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity shall follow up accordingly;

iii)               That the Association of Senior Civil Servants should patiently monitor the activities of that Committee.

3.        It was noted that efforts were being made by the Federal Ministry of Education to source for funds from the Federal Ministry of Finance to offset the arrears of allowances connected with earlier postings done in September 2008, and it was further agreed that payment shall be made as soon as funds are made available by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

4.        It was further agreed that:

i)                   Subsequent postings in the Federal Ministry of Education should be done only when funds are available to pay entitlements.

ii)                 Federal Ministry of education should follow-up on the payment of arrears of promotion to staff with the Federal Ministry of Finance as a matter of urgency;

iii)               In line with the extant Labour Laws, all parties shall maintain the status quo ante in the dispute during the resolution of that trade dispute in accordance with Section 18 of the Trade Disputes Act, CAP T8, Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004. Consequently the Association should follow up the case of their members forwarded to the Federal Civil Service Commission for disciplinary action. Ministry of Education and Association should meet and sort out the other three disciplinary cases presented at the meeting;

iv)               The circular reversing the posting of Union Executives had been issued to the Federal Unity Colleges and the Association was advised to avail itself of copies of the said Circular;

v)                 The 15% salary arrears had been credited to the Accounts of all the Federal Unity Colleges and Principals are advised to pay all affected staff not later than July, 2009.

5.        The issues raised were fundamental and that either side should ensure that in the interest of industrial peace and harmony, the conclusions reached are implemented without further prompting. It was further agreed that the strike should be suspended and also members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria in the 104 Federal Unity Colleges should resume work immediately. It is further agreed that no staff should be victimized or punished in the Federal Unity Colleges for participating in the strike.

6.        Federal Ministry of Labour shall monitor the implementation of the contents of this communiqué.

Association of Senior Civil           Federal Ministry of Education

Servants of Nigeria

Signed                                            Signed

………………………………               ………………………………...

Comrade L. C. Amenechi             Dr. (Mrs.) Patricial L. Ogboru

National Trustee                               Director Human Resources

                                                                          Management

          Signed                                            Signed

………………………………..                   ………………………………...

Comrade Ayo Olorunfemi                         Alhaji G. Y. Bello

Head (FCT)                                         Acting Director, Basic and

                                                                     Secondary Education

Signed

……………………………….

Chinedu C. Dike (Mrs.)

Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity

NOTE:

Please also check for the letter addressed to All Unit Chairmen in the Federal Unity Colleges on this WEBSITE.