The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has debunked the claim by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) that the organsation is victimising some of its workers and also ignored their recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning some issues also as affecting the workers.
NASU national on Monday in Lagos at a press conference addressed by the General Secretary of the union, Prince Peters Adeyemi, accused the management of WAEC of victimising the leadership of the union working in the organisation and also breaching of the recent MoU because of their roles against some policies of the organization in the recent past.
The union at the conference announced a seven-day ultimatum, threatening to shut down WAEC offices nationwide and also direct its members in the organization to proceed on an indefinite strike, beginning from Monday, March 24, if WAEC fails to “amend its ways.”
But WAEC in its reaction on Tuesday, refuted the claims, describing itself as a law-abiding examination body that upholds the principles of justice, equity, and fairness.
In a statement signed by its head of public affairs department, Mrs. Moyosola Adesina, WAEC noted that its commitment to legality is evident in its mode operations as it always adhering to the established rules and regulations of its host country.
The examination body affirmed that it has neither in anyway victimized its workers nor receded on the MoU mentioned by NASU as regards reinstating of the deduction of check-off dues of workers or any other matter in the agreement.
It also explained that there is no action taken yet by the council to suggest it has suspended trade unionism in the organization, acknowledging NASU as a registered trade union in line with the provisions of the Trade Unions Act.
But on the issue of transferring of staff, who are NASU executives from the headquarters office to other parts of the country which NASU considered as a punishment, WAEC explained that its Conditions of Service booklet issued to every staff upon assumption of duty clearly states that “staff may be transferred from one station to another and for their good and career progression and understanding of WAEC operations.’
While noting that WAEC will never disparage any trade unions including NASU or engage with staff outside of the council’s code of conduct, it pledged to continue to uphold the rights of its employees across cadres.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then