EDM 907.

CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS AND ISSUES IN EDUCATION

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

Unionisation is one reaction of workers to employers actions (Fayana 1995). Workers of

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

product of union activities.

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

restructured into three groups namely ASUU, NASUU and SSAUU.

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.

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The objective of this inaugural bargaining unit were to consider the demands of the union. This

marked the commencement of the real bargaining in higher institutions in Nigeria.

When a trade dispute consequently declared with the governing council of Nigerian

universities after 20th may, 1980 meetings, their demands were:

1. The universities should be funded adequately to enable them realize their goals vital to

the national development for which they were established.

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

3. A body should be set up to carry out a comprehensive overview of condition of service

for the university staff of Nigeria.

ASUU as a trade union has the following objectives:

1. Regulations of relations between academic staff and employers.

2. Encouragement of the participation of its members in the affairs of the university system

and the nation.

3. Establishment and maintenance of a high standard of academic performance.

4. To promote their members interest

5. Protection and advancement of

- Integrity, transparency and accountability.

- Professionalism, objectivity and hard-work

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- Internal democracy, team work and group solidarity

- Patriotism, anti-incralism and working class solidarity.

Ethical principles and quality assurances of ASUU

Murray et al, (2002) have identified nine principles in their own perspectives. These are as

follows:

1. Content competence

2. Pedagogical competence

3. Contribution to student development

4. Openess and honesty in dealing with sensitive issues in teaching

5. Confidentiality

6. Respect of colleagues

7. Avoidance of dual relationship with students

8. Valid assessment of students

9. Respect for institutional goals, policies and standard.

Iyayi, (2002) has identified five categories of principles which form the basis of conduct

of the union far many year of existence. They are:

1. professionalism objectivity and hard work

2. Courage, scarifies, and total commitment

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3. Internal democracy team work and group solidarity.

4. Patriotism, anti-imperialism and working class solidarity.

5. integrity, transparency and accountability

Contributions to ASUU

The strike actions of ASUU have led to the under listed contributions of the tracks union over

years:

1. Funding provision of facilities and quality assurance

2. Pay working conditions, brain chain and manpower development

3. Tracking of examination malpractices in schools

4. Political/economic problems

5. University autonomy.

The non-academic staff union of allied and education institutions (NASU)

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

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2. The governing councils and workers must work together hence eliminating exploitation

in work place as well as providing benefits to members

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

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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

loans with minimal interest and convenient means of payment.

Contribution of NASU to its members

NASU has contributed positively regarding its members. These include;

1. Provides Job security to its members

2. Provides a forum for members to satisfy psychological needs of belonging, leadership

esteem etc.

3. Provide a healthy working environment for its workers

4. Maintain industrial peace which is needed for achieving institutional goals

5. They help in ensuring that the university achieve its purpose for which it established

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 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

Nigerians and mankind as a whole. The principles of this union are:

1. To seek the welfare and wellbeing of its members

2. To regulate the terms and condition of service or employment of workers

The aims and objectives are to

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

Universities and inter university centres who elect to be members

2. To regulate the relationship between each senior non- teaching staff and another and

between the employers and individual members of the union.

3. To work for the establishment and maintenance of equitable reasonable and proper hours

of work appropriate salaries and wages, as well as other condition of service.

4. To work for the advancement of members of the union by way of training, out training

and further education.

5. To provide benefit and assistance to union members under the condition laid down in the

constitution.

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6. To engage in such other lawful activities as are compatible wit the trade union law and

not inconsistent with trade spirit and practice.

7. To promote and advance the economic, political and social right as well as general

welfare of members of the union.

8. To promote and sustain positive industrial relations practice in the Nigeria University

system by strengthening collective bargaining between the employers and employees

within the system.

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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