The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), FCT Chapter, has said its members, mainly secondary school teachers, will not join the industrial action declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing, scheduled to commence on Monday.
In an interview, the ASUSS FCT State Chairman, Comrade Julius Ogundiran, cited Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association, including the right not to belong to any trade union.
He also referenced Section 12(4) of labour laws, noting that no person shall be compelled to comply with the directives of an organisation they do not belong to.
“ASUSS is an independent professional body, mainly for the secondary school teachers, with its own constitution, structure, and leadership.
“Our members (secondary school teachers) are not subject to the authority or directives of the NUT,” he said.
The chairman added that his members have resolved to remain at their duty posts and continue teaching without interruption.
He explained that promotion issues, which partly triggered the NUT strike, have been “substantially addressed” by the Office of the Head of Service and the relevant commission, with promotion letters currently being released in batches.
Ogundiran noted that the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) has also engaged on the matters, making the strike “unnecessary” for ASUSS members.
However, the ASUSS boss raised the alarm over “credible reports of intimidation, harassment and attempts to obstruct” his members from working, allegedly by persons enforcing the NUT strike.
He, therefore, asked authorities to issue directives protecting his members from interference and to release a circular affirming ASUSS members’ constitutional rights.
“ASUSS remains committed to maintaining industrial harmony, upholding professional standards and ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of quality education within the FCT,” he concluded.
