Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Ngafi EDM 907
Ngafi EDM 907
Question: The period after 1978 witnessed the restructining of all unions in the university
system into three natural groups (ASUU) NASU and SSANUJ. Discuss each of them
different interest and needs come together in trade union to negotiate the price of labour.
Individual workers lack power and may not be able to seek improvement in wages and other
working conditions. This is the logic of trade unionism (Fashoyin 1988). Trade unions are the
main power resource of the workforce. This power promote the resolution of problems faced by
workers in an organization. Many wage increase in Nigeria allowances and businesses are
ASSU
ASUU is an acronym which stands for the Academic Staff Union of Universities. ASUU
was founded in 1978 and it became the successor of the Association of University Teachers
(AUT) which was founded in 1965 to 198, all the unions in the university system were
Between 1998 and 1980 a sophisticated approach to industrial relations throughout the country
was manifested by ASUU. The university community which felt very limited needs to collective
employers actions were encouraged to modify their stance and show better attitudes to
unionication in April 1980, pro-chancellor’s and chairman covering councils held a conference at
the university of Lagos and resolved to form National University Employers’ Association. On
the 20th May, 1980, the first national collective bargaining machinery in the university was
constituted between the pro-chancellors and the representatives of the Academic staff Union.
1
The objective of this inaugural bargaining unit were to consider the demands of the union. This
When a trade dispute consequently declared with the governing council of Nigerian
1. The universities should be funded adequately to enable them realize their goals vital to
2. Autonomous self governance and academic freedom should be restored to the universities
to enhance the moral and integrity of the academic staff of the universities
2. Encouragement of the participation of its members in the affairs of the university system
2
- Internal democracy, team work and group solidarity
Murray et al, (2002) have identified nine principles in their own perspectives. These are as
follows:
1. Content competence
2. Pedagogical competence
5. Confidentiality
6. Respect of colleagues
Iyayi, (2002) has identified five categories of principles which form the basis of conduct
3
3. Internal democracy team work and group solidarity.
Contributions to ASUU
The strike actions of ASUU have led to the under listed contributions of the tracks union over
years:
4. Political/economic problems
5. University autonomy.
The Non-Academic staff union of the allied and Education institutions (NASU) is an
association that represents the Junior Non-Academic staff in Nigerian Universities. The union
came into existence in 1977 as one of the house union and was strengthened by decree No 22
(Davisio 1977). It was formally recognized as one of the 42 registered unions affiliated to
Nigeria Labour congress (NLC). The principal objectives of the Union are:
1. Regulation and relations between workers and governing councils of the university
4
2. The governing councils and workers must work together hence eliminating exploitation
Disang, (200) says that in December, 1992, when professor Babatunde Fafunwa was
Education Minister, the federal government approved a separate university salary structure that
favoured ASUU, when NASU heard of the disparity in the salary structure, they embarked on a
42 day nation wide strike to demonstrate their disapproval of the action of federal government by
favoring ASUU over the non-teaching staff (NASU), who are the majority of the university
work force.
In 1999, NASU presented a memorandum to the federal government to press their demands for
improved terms and condition of service that will connect the problems created by the National
Minimum Wages of General Abubakar on Elongated University salary scale in favor of the civil
salary structure EUSS was renamed as Harmonized Tertiary Institution Salary Structure
(HATISS).
When Olusegun Oasanjo became the president, the minimum wage was negotiated with
trade unions under the umbrella of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) individuals workers were
weak in bargaining withtheir employers during negotiation which affected them. Nigerian
Labour Congress played a dominant role of strengthening the relation between the workers and
their employers. The union negotiated for the work force of their members and serve as platform
for social intervention and education among members; by organizing seminars, lectures,
conferences and workshops. In addition, unions operate special loan plans to assit members in
getting financial aid for emergency and domestic needs. NASU also improved the working
conditions and raised the dignity of member through schemes such as the welfare system that the
5
union operate by deducting a percentage from the members’ salaries. The scheme assisted
members after retirement scheme union operates cooperatives shops where members can obtain
esteem etc.
5. They help in ensuring that the university achieve its purpose for which it established
6
SSANU
SSANU is an acronym which stands for Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities.
SSANU was created as a viable Union that achieves improvement in the welfare of the members
and to be a major player in the development of the education sector and the nation at large. The
vision of this union is to deepen labour relations and enrich the procedure and process of
enhancing the wellbeing and the welfare of its members in particular and the generality of
1. Organize into a single and coherent trade union and serve as an umbrella organization for
all senior Administrative Technical and other senior non teaching staff of all Nigerian
2. To regulate the relationship between each senior non- teaching staff and another and
3. To work for the establishment and maintenance of equitable reasonable and proper hours
4. To work for the advancement of members of the union by way of training, out training
5. To provide benefit and assistance to union members under the condition laid down in the
constitution.
7
6. To engage in such other lawful activities as are compatible wit the trade union law and
7. To promote and advance the economic, political and social right as well as general
8. To promote and sustain positive industrial relations practice in the Nigeria University
8
References
Davison, R. D (1977). Industrial relations Decree: Questions and answers to explain the law,
Zaria Ahmadu Bello Univeristy Pres: page 2-6
Fashoih T. (1988) A model of Union behaviour in Africa Lagos: Department of industrial
Relationship and personnel management.
Fayana S. (1995) industrial relations practice in Nigeria Logos: Labofin and Company 88-100
Idoko A.A. (2015). Educational Management and other contemporary problems Winton Books,
Makurdi, Nigeria.
Iyayi, F (2002). The principle of our union first ASUU pre-NDC lecture delivered at the 12 th
Delegates conference in Maiduguri 5th – 8h April, 2002
Osang, . (2002). THE TRADE Unions and their impact on University Education in Nigeria
M.Ed. Department of Adult Education University of Ibadan
Otobo, D. (1987). The rule of Trade Union in Nigerian “Industrial relations. Oxford Mal oue
press, Ibadan
www.ssanuabu.org.ng