Members of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Ebonyi State College of Education chapter, have lamented poor working condition in the college.
The union said the poor condition has brought untold hardship to them, leading to the death of eight of its members last year
Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital on Monday after the congress of the union, its Chairman, Dr. Nnachi Ama revealed that seven members of the union are critically ill and can't afford to pay their medical treatment because of poor pay package.
He explained that the college presently operate with 87% 2010 salary structure whereas all other colleges operate with 2024 salary structure.
He said the staff of the college of Education still receive 30,000 minimum wage against 70,000 which is now operational.
"Congress observed with total dismay the ugly and pitiful working conditions of the college staff. Notably, the college presently operates with 87 percent 2010 salary structure, even as other colleges of education operate with 2024 salary structure.
"It is important for us to place on record that the staff of Ebonyi State College of Education still receives 30,000 minimum wage against 70,000 which is operational now.
"And to that effect, many staff of the college still receive less than 70,000 as monthly salaries. Whereas the state now, the governor in his magnanimity had added 20,000 to the 70,000 that is minimum wage, which means some receive 90,000 as minimum wage.
" Congress felt so concerned that college staff who are entitled to pension and gratuity do not enjoy such and so go home without any terminal benefits on retirement.
"Our staff die in their numbers because of harsh economic conditions we have found ourselves. For emphasis sake, just 2025, we buried eight members of the college staff who died of treatable ailments. They could not gain medical attention due to lack of funds.
"As we speak, we have not less than seven academic staff that are critically ill, resulting from their inability to take care of their health issues from poor package.
" During the 2027 May Day, that is Workers' Day celebration, the NLC address captured this issue of college salary. In response, the governor demanded that the college management should approach him for a lasting solution", he said.
He blamed management of the college for not making efforts to address the ugly conditions of the staff.
Nnachi threatened that the union will embark on warning strike if nothing was done to address their conditions.
"However, to date, nothing has happened. So Congress found at no meaningful approach that has been made by the college management to address all these ugly situations.
"The information gathered from NLC chairman in his engagement with the governor recently revealed clearly that management has not met with governor.
"This is perhaps the management staff enjoy full salary, a situation that is not applicable to other staff.
"Given the foregoing, the union hereby issues a 14-day ultimatum starting from Friday, 27th February 2026 on the following demands. One, immediate payment of staff full salary with 2024 cash salary structure.
"The management should, without further delay, engage with the governor to fulfill all necessary conditions for an insured payment of college staff pension and gratuity on retirement.
"Failure to implement that both will leave the union with no other option than to embark on one strike.
"Congress is very much assured or optimistic that the management of the college will meet this demand to have continuous industrial harmony", he stated.
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