The Trade Union Congress has suspended the industrial action it directed its affiliates to commence over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos.
The TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, announced the suspension on Monday in Abuja after a meeting with the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, and other stakeholders.
Toro described the meeting as fruitful and robust, saying the unions’ concerns were presented and considered in good faith.
He said the suspension would give a newly constituted committee time to examine the issues raised by the unions and make recommendations.
“The issues bothering us have been laid bare, and of course, those that were critical to us were also brought to the fore,” Toro said.
According to him, Alausa also provided explanations on some of the concerns raised during the meeting.
Toro said the development prompted the unions to “stand down the action” and suspend the directive earlier issued to their affiliates to withdraw their services.
He, however, stressed that the suspension did not amount to a permanent cancellation of the industrial action.
“Suspending an action is not calling off,” he said, adding that the unions could resume the action if they were dissatisfied with the committee’s recommendations.
Toro said the unions would monitor the committee’s work and reconvene with the government within the stipulated period to consider its recommendations and determine the next steps.
He welcomed the establishment of the committee, saying it would allow the unions to review the relevant policy document and make further contributions.
The TUC general secretary also called for urgent intervention to address the condition of King’s College, saying the dilapidated state of the institution should not be allowed to persist.
He described the outcome of the meeting as a win-win situation, saying the unions had secured assurances on the concerns of their members while the government had shown willingness to revisit issues requiring further consideration.
Meanwhile, Alausa directed all Federal Unity Colleges to resume academic activities immediately following the suspension of the industrial action.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to continued engagement with the unions and other stakeholders over the management arrangement involving King’s College.
He said the process would be guided by mutual respect, the law and the national interest.
Alausa also assured stakeholders that the government would continue working with them to strengthen King’s College, preserve its heritage and improve the learning environment.
He assured the unions that no staff member would be dismissed over the management arrangement involving the institution.
According to him, the deployment of academic and non-academic staff would continue to be handled in accordance with the Public Service Rules.
Alausa said the arrangement for the King’s College Old Boys Association to continue managing the school would proceed.
However, he announced the constitution of a seven-member high-level committee to consider additional recommendations that could be incorporated into the agreement already signed.
The committee comprises two representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, including the Minister of State for Education and the Acting Permanent Secretary; one representative of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; two senior TUC representatives; and two representatives of the King’s College Old Boys Association.
Alausa said the committee had two weeks to complete its assignment and submit its recommendations.
He reiterated that all academic and non-academic staff would continue to be treated in accordance with the Public Service Rules.
He added that “No staff will be dismissed, demonised or punished as a result of the issues under consideration.”
The minister’s directive followed the TUC’s suspension of the industrial action, which had stalled the resumption of activities in the Federal Unity Colleges over the proposed management arrangement for King’s College.