Taiwo Ogunniyi
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has accused the Committee of Federal Rectors (COFER) of interfering in union affairs through what it described as a deliberate misinterpretation of the Trade Union Act.
Speaking at a press conference in Offa, Kwara State on Monday, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUP Zone C, Dr. Masopa Adekunle Nurudeen, said COFER’s recent directive to rectors of federal polytechnics to enforce a disputed interpretation of the Trade Union Act (2006) was not only wrong but showed disregard for their responsibilities.
“The Trade Union Act has been operational since 2006 for all unions across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. It is unfortunate that COFER, which is not a statutory body, is now attempting to interpret the law in ways that undermine unionism,” he said.
ASUP noted that COFER, a subset of polytechnic heads under the Council of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology (COHEADS), has no supervisory or regulatory powers to interpret trade union laws, describing its actions as meddlesome and baseless.
The union argued that staff of polytechnics are employees of the Federal Government, and their consent to union membership was already secured during enrollment on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
“COFER’s move shows ignorance of basic principles of industrial relations,” the union stated.
ASUP further expressed concern that rectors, being federal employees themselves and in some cases members of ASUP, have no authority to dictate union affairs.
Describing COFER’s call for staff to submit fresh written consent for union membership as “laughable and senseless,” the union stressed that existing membership consent was both explicit and implied through IPPIS enrollment and long-standing participation in union activities.
Particularly, the union condemned the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, accusing him of betrayal.
“It is disappointing that the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa — a former ASUP chairman and two-time contestant for the union’s presidency — is now spearheading actions aimed at undermining the same union he once aspired to lead,” ASUP said.
The union also accused the rectors of Federal Polytechnics in Ekowe, Nekede, and Bida of attempting to weaken ASUP’s influence, allegedly in retaliation for the union’s criticisms of maladministration in their respective institutions.
ASUP warned that it would resist any attempts to undermine its role in protecting workers’ rights within the polytechnic sector.
“Any individual or group that seeks to diminish our efforts will be met with stiff resistance. We are committed to safeguarding the rights and welfare of our members,” Dr. Nurudeen said.
The union demanded an immediate withdrawal of COFER’s directive and a public apology, vowing to explore all legal and industrial actions to protect its integrity and membership.
