As the current industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) enters its sixth month, the Federal Government has denied the existence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement(CBA) between it and union
This was disclosed on Wednesday in Abuja by Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, in a statement signed by Mr. Olajide Oshundun, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry.
Ngige claimed that the clarification was required in light of what he said was the avalanche of purposefully false information that Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the president of ASUU, and his branch leaders had been spreading among Nigerians.
The Minister noted that the union were urging President Muhammadu Buhari to ratify an accord they purportedly signed with the federal government.
According to Ngige, when Collective Bargaining Agreement is produced between unions and the federal government, it is not the president that signs.
“But by the government side, the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) led by the direct employer with the concillliating ministry witnessing.
“We wish therefore to inform Nigerians that there is no such CBA that has been reached between the federal government, ASUU and other university unions on the renegotiation of their salaries and allowances (wages).
“What is in existence is a proposal. Even when such CBA is made, it is not the president that signs it. From available records, no Nigerian President or sovereign signs such, ’’he said.
The minister went on to say that in reality, Nigerians were aware of the fact that ASUU had been on strike since February 14 and were engaged in negotiations over their demand