By; Buhari B Bello, Jos.
Prof Doknan Sheni, Vice Chancellor, Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos has told both academic and non academic staff of the institution to freely join any trade union of their choice.
The vice chancellor gave the advice in a press release signed and issued by the institution’s image maker, Mr John Agams, who made a copy available to the newsmen in Jos.
However, the VC’s recent stance might not have been informed by the feud that has being raging between the university and SSANU over the suspension of the university’s chapter’s chairman and secretary for alleged misconducts.
Messrs Timnan Rimdap and Dusu Sambo, the interim chairman and secretary of the local branch of SSANU, were suspended for three months, in letters signed by its Registrar, Amos Mallo, and dated Jan. 27.
Rimdap is the head of the ICT unit, while Sambo is a staff of the academic planning unit.
The letters had hinged the suspension on management’s dissatisfaction with the duo’s responses to queries that bordered on indiscipline and union matters.
Various communications on the issues culminated in the suspension of the officials, who were barred from entering the school unless permitted by the Vice Chancellor, Registrar or Chief Security Officer.
Miffed by the suspension of its members, SSANU’s national headquarters, in a letter dated March 1, 2017 and signed by its National President, Mr Samson Ugwoke, demanded “an unconditional withdrawal of the suspension letters”.
SSANU, however, issued a 2-week ultimatum to PLASUto withdraw the suspension of its officials and recall them with immediate effect, an order which has not been heeded to by the management.
Sheni, while addressing the staff of the institution over the feud between the management and the SSANUover the suspension of Rimdap and Sambo, said, “you are hereby informed that as a staff of this university you are free to join any trade union of your choice.’’
“All we need from you is a written resolution of intending members accompanied by mandate for deduction of monies/dues from your salarie in line with financial regulations.
“This is go guide against unforeseen litigations by any member or group in the future,’’ the release stated.
The VC noted that belonging to any union or association is a voluntary wihs by individual staff members as the primary aim of association or unionism was to better the lot of members.