The Kaduna State Government on Friday described as unlawful the strike embarked upon by the KASU branch of ASUU because there is no trade dispute between it and ASUU.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan said “The Kaduna State Government is in receipt of communication from the KASU branch of ASUU, confirming that the branch has joined the nation-wide strike because they are full members of the national union.
Describing the development as unacceptable, the government further said “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.
According to the statement,“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.
Governor el-Rufai’s aide warned that“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.”
