Why UB Lecturers are on Strike!

NATIONAL UNION OF TEACHERS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
SYNDICAT NATIONAL DES ENSEIGNANTS DU SUPERIEUR
- SYNES -
 UNIVERSITY OF BUEA CHAPTER
                                                                                                                             15 May, 2014

                              STRIKE NOTICE

The National Union of Teachers of Higher Education (SYNES) University of Buea Chapter, on Wednesday 14 May
2014 met to review issues related to the ban on taxis entering the campus and earlier correspondence sent to the
Administration evoking an imminent strike action because of persistent transportation problems.
Considering:
- The inhuman and degrading conditions lecturers have been subjected to in the past one year – trekking to
class/office in the scorching sun and stormy rain;
- The design of UB campus when compared to the campuses of other State Universities;
- That Bajo Club (the company invited to operate the campus shuttle)has been flip-flopping on its ability to solve
the problem, complaining on the one hand that financial difficulties may delay the delivery of services, and
claiming on the other hand that it will deliver by the end of the month of May;
- That different staff representations have given similar clear and feasible proposals to resolve the transportation
problem on campus;
- The Vice-Chancellor’s Circular of 14 May to staff and students alleging thefts, “kidnappings of students based on
their religious beliefs” and other terrorist acts as being the cause of the ban on taxis in the first place, and stating
that the campus shuttle will go operational ‘by the end’ of May 2014;
- The recent thefts on campus, at a time when taxis have been banned, and in spite of the heavy presence of an
additional security outfit (made up of frightfully muscular men) paid for from the University budget;
- Earlier notices given to the administration by SYNES-UB that if by the 13th of May 2014 a satisfactory
transportation system is not put in place, SYNES-UB will declare a dispute with the Administration;
- The heavy rain that fell on the morning of 14 May 2014 made it difficult for teachers and students without a
means of transportation to come to class;
- The very defiant and spiteful attitude of the Vice-Chancellor when the issue of transportation came up during a
meeting at the Central Administration on Tuesday 13 May 2014.
The General Assembly, after a lengthy discussion adopted:
1. Resolution 03/GA/SYNES-UB of 14 May 2014 calling on all members of SYNES to park their cars at the University
gate from the 15-16 May 2014 and trek to their offices or lecture halls in solidarity with colleagues who have endured
the trek in the sun and rain for the past one year.
2. Resolution 04/GA/SYNES-UB of 14 May 2014 to declare a warning strike action from May 21 to May 26, 2014
during which all teaching shall be suspended.
3. Resolution 05/GA/SYNES-UB of 14 May 2014 authorising the Executive of SYNES-UB to request for an official
inquiry into the allegations of “kidnappings based on religious beliefs” contained in the Vice-Chancellor’s circular of
14 May, 2014.
We pray the University Administration to find an expedient solution to this seemingly perennial problem. Academic
staff and other stakeholders have made valuable suggestions which we believe can remedy the problem both in the short
and long term.
James A. Abangma, PhD                            Fontem A. Neba, PhD
Acting President                                                         Secretary
CC:
- MINESUP
- SG/SYNES