Group faults ASUSS, ASUPS on teachers’ strike

By Victor Ahiuma-Young
A GROUP of teachers under the umbrella of Teachers Action Committee (TACOM) and  Teachers United For Action (TUFA) operating in both Primary and Secondary schools, has faulted the stance of Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) and its primary schools counterpart, Academic Staff Union of Primary School (ASUPS), on the ongoing strike by teachers in primary and secondary schools.

The group wondered why ASUSS and ASUPS would issue a statement condemning the ongoing industrial action called by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to press home teachers’ demand for better welfare and working condition and disassociated its members from the position of  ASUSS and ASUPS

TACOM and TUFA in a statement by  the Group Chairman, Price Tunji Omogoroye and Secretary, Comrade V. O.A. Ajayi, in Lagos argued that despite their grouse against the leadership of Lagos State Council of the NUT over perceived  irregularities in its recent elections, which led to its pulling out of NUT and joining ASUSS and ASUPS, the group insisted that NUT was actually fighting for collective benefits of teachers.

In the  statement signed by the Group Chairman, Price Tunji Omogoroye and Secretary, Comrade V. O.A. Ajayi, they said: “We hereby dissociate ourselves, jointly and severally from the press releases of ASUSS and ASUPS, Lagos State chapters condemning the strike for the realisation of Teachers Enhanced Allowances (27.5 per cent).

For us, we shall continue to support all genuine actions that will better the lot of teachers in Lagos State while fighting for the enthronement of justice, equity and fair play within the union (NUT).”

The Alliance also said that its position was without prejudice to its petitions to both the State and National Secretariat of NUT and added the petitions we re currently receive attention.