Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) Begins One-Month Strike

The College of Education Academic Staff Union, also known as COEASU, has announced a strike that will last for a period of four weeks due to the alleged failure of the FG to settle issues.

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has declared a one-month strike, which will begin on Tuesday, June 14th.

The Union made the decision following a meeting on Friday, June 10, at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, Delta State, to assess the level of the federal government’s response to its requests, following the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum issued to government on the lingering issues of industrial concerns.

The strike was announced to the media in a communique signed by COEASU President Dr. Smart Olugbeko and General Secretary Dr. Ahmed Bazza Lawan.

“The total strike action suspended by the Union in December 2018 will be resumed immediately for four weeks in the first instance,” the statement said. The NEC will reconvene after four weeks of strike action to re-evaluate the level of the Government’s commitment to the issues in order to make an appropriate decision on the next steps.

“On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, every Chapter Congress across the federation should convene to adequately inform the Congress on the commencement of the strike action due to the festering issues and the status of inaction leading to the industrial action.”

“Union leadership at all levels (National, Zonal, and Chapter) should launch an aggressive media campaign to raise public awareness of the issues that have led to the strike action.”

“All members of the academic staff in all Colleges of Education (both Federal and State) must withdraw from all statutory duties without exception.”

“All State-owned Colleges that are already on strike to press home local demands should impress on their respective managements that the local strike will continue if their local issues are not resolved by the end of the nationwide strike.”

“Vice Presidents/Zonal Coordinators shall monitor the compliance of Chapters in their respective Zones, while defaulting Chapters shall be barred from enjoying the benefits of the struggle and shall incur other sanctions as NEC shall deem applicable based on normal Union regulations pertaining to Collective Bargaining.”

Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on indefinite strike since February.

ASUU and the Federal Government have yet to reach an agreement on the ongoing strike.

ASUU recently decided to extend its nationwide strike for another three months.

After several failed reconciliation meetings between both parties, the strike began on February 14, 2022.