The academic staff at the Federal College of Education in Umunze, Anambra State, has expressed disapproval of the 3-week warning strike announced by the COEASU Chairman.
The union also frowned at a report that lecturers protested in the school premises on Monday, describing it as false.
Some lecturers told reporters on Monday that the report of the protest at the college was a clear attempt by some unscrupulous elements to discredit the institution.
Dr Nwike Matthew, a Chief Lecturer and member of the College Academic Board, noted that the school authorities had made efforts to clear a backlog of allowances, including 14 months salary arrears inherited from the previous administration.
He said, “I do not believe that compelling the college management to borrow money to make a non-statutory payment is the right approach.
“Since the College Management pleaded for understanding and patience from the union, my colleagues should have taken the Management by her words,” he said..
On his part, Kenechukwu Agajelu of the Political Science Department, noted that COEASU has no mandate to run to the media to ask parents to withdraw their children from the College.
He further kicked against moving into classrooms and examination halls to forcefully drive lecturers and students away. He described such illegal acts as a contravention of labour law.
“You called for strike but did not call for picketing. Why are you picketing? Why are you preventing others from going to work through social media posts, phone calls, and physical abuse?
Also speaking, the Head of Department, Education Foundation, Dr Jideofo Ezewuzie, also pointed out that the College defaulted in TETFund Teaching Practice Allowance during the previous administration due to the action of COEASU.