The Kaduna state government has said that it will not be liable for the salaries of lecturers of the state owned university while the strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU lasts because the strike is illegal.
In a statement in Kaduna signed by the spokesman to the state governor, Samuel Aruwan, the state government said there is no dispute between it and ASUU. Nasir el-Rufai “The Kaduna State Government is in receipt of communication from the Kaduna State University, KASU branch of ASUU, confirming that the branch has joined the nation-wide strike because they are full members of the national union. “This is unacceptable to the state government.
It is an anomaly that employees can be on strike without declaring a dispute with their employer. It bears restating that Nigeria is a federation of states, and no trade union can alter this federal reality by imposing on an employer state government the terms that federal employees have agreed with the Federal Government.
“The Kaduna State Government is not affected, or bound by any dispute, disagreement or agreement ASUU may have with the Federal Government. As a sub-national entity, the Kaduna State Government is separate from the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Constitution of Nigeria clearly attests to this.
“It is the considered view of the Kaduna State Government that the KASU branch of ASUU has embarked on an unlawful strike. Therefore, the Kaduna State Government is not liable for salaries and allowances for the period of the unlawful strike.
“The government shall proceed to initiate the necessary disciplinary steps in accordance with Kaduna State Public Service Rules with respect to the individual acts of commission or omission of those that choose to join or persist in an unlawful strike” the statement added.
