Teachers in Abia state suspend strike

THE Abia state chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers,NUT, has suspended its 8-day old strike which it embarked on to press home for the payment of Teachers’ Enhanced Salary Structure (TSS).
The leadership of the union has directed its members to resume work today without delays.
Mr. Enoch Omeoga, the state chairman of the union, who announced the suspension of the strike, said the decision was taken because of the intervention of Governor Theodore Orji over the issue.
Omeoga also explained that the union had abinitio directed its members not to resume school on April 29, 2013 when Abia schools reopened because government refused to obey the agreement it had with the union to commence the payment of TSS from January, 2013.
He however blamed it on some unnamed aides of the Governor who he accused of going against the Governors directives on the issue.
“The teachers entered into agreement with His Excellency, Governor Orji that payment of TSS will commence from January, 2013 and after waiting for the TSS to be paid as agreed which they reneged, we decided to embark on the strike action to press home our demand”.
“We know His Excellency as one who keeps his words; members were patient even when we were owed three months salary arrears in anticipation that anytime the money is paid, TSS will be part of it.
“It was a surprise to the union that January and February salary arrears were released without the TSS and that made the union to commence the strike with the aim to press home our legitimate demand”, the NUT chairman said.
According to Omeoga, the union insisted on the strike because they knew that those who refused to pay the TSS were acting against the Governor’s directive.
He noted that, it was only through the strike action that the governor would know what has been happening.
Omeoga said, “His Excellency was not in the country when the two months’ salary arrears was released without the TSS and that is why we decided to insist that the right thing be done, and we believe that our action has just sent a signal to the relevant authorities”.