DEFIANT CBU WORKERS STAY PUT
THE three unions at the Copperbelt University (CBU) in Kitwe have maintained that the reopening of the institution tomorrow is ill timed due to the many unresolved issues.
Copperbelt University Academics Union president Derrick Ntalasha, who spoke on behalf of all unions, said the rift between management and all categories of workers has not been resolved, even though the institution’s reopening has been set for March 25, 2018.
Dr Ntalasha said it is strange that CBU management and Minister of Higher Education Nkandu Luo could allow the reopening of the institution without addressing issues that has been outstanding for a long time.
He noted that students will be inconvenienced due to current industrial unrest at the university."As stakeholders, we wish to inform the nation the announcement by CBU management to reopen the university on March 25, 2018 amidst the many unresolved issues was ill timed and without consultation with the stakeholder unions representing the welfare of employees at CBU," he said .
Dr Ntalasha however said the unionised workers are ready to resume work as long as Professor Naison Ngoma is removed as Vice-Chancellor.
In addition, Dr Ntalasha said, irregular suspensions should be lifted
Dr Ntalasha added that the ‘vote of no confidence’ in Prof Ngoma has been trivialised by Professor Luo.
He said the minister has continued to defend Prof Ngoma while on the other hand she has admitted that the ablution blocks are a danger to human health.
"We are categorically stating that we shall never be intimidated by any manner of illegality being perpetrated by Prof Ngoma such as the suspensions slapped on the members of staff without following procedure," he said.