The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, FCT Chapter, has dissociate itself from the industrial action declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, FCT Wing.
It said that its members comprising mainly secondary school teachers will not join the industrial action scheduled to commence on Monday.
The ASUSS FCT State Chairman, Comrade Julius Ogundiran disclosed this to journalists in Abuja.
Citing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association, including the right not to belong to any trade union, he also said Section 12(4) of labour laws noted that no person shall be compelled to comply with directives of an organisation they do not belong to.
He said “ASUSS is an independent professional body, mainly for the secondary school teachers, with its own constitution, structure and leadership.
"Our members (secondary school teachers) are not subject to the authority or directives of the NUT,” he added .
He stressed that its members have resolved to remain at their duty posts and continue teaching without interruption.
He explained that promotion issues, which partly triggered the NUT strike, have been “substantially addressed” by the Office of the Head of Service and the relevant commission, with promotion letters currently being released in batches.
Ogundiran noted that the Joint Union Action Committee, JUAC, has also engaged on the matters, making the strike “unnecessary” for ASUSS members.
He, however raised alarm over "credible reports of intimidation, harassment and attempts to obstruct” its members from working, allegedly by persons enforcing the NUT strike.
He, therefore, asked authorities to issue directives protecting Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools members from interference from doing their work and the release a circular affirming ASUSS members’ constitutional right.
“ASUSS remains committed to maintaining industrial harmony, upholding professional standards and ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of quality education within the FCT,” he stated.