Always
a lover of publicity to gain maximum exposure, both the Govt. and FUTA have
decided to hold a joint press conference tomorrow to explain the deal that has
been made. Whilst the Govt. spokesman will not want to show any climb down by
them in agreeing to some of the more reasonable terms, FUTA will also want to
be seen to have achieved their objectives, despite the lack of value in some of
the statements and demands they made, especially in regards to the 6% of GDP
for the state education allocation.
In
this win win scenario, it will be interesting to see who the preferred
spokesperson are for each side to clearly explain the resolution to the demands
and the 4 months of work stoppage. Neither will accept blame.
In
this game of bluff and counter bluff it is the University Students who have
suffered the most, who have been turfed out of their hostels and other
accommodation, with the need to provide some relief for them and ensure they do
not delay their progress towards their hard fought degrees.
The
Students supported the FUTA demands, and I would only expect the Lecturers to
back the students this time to ensure they are not left out of the reckoning. The
reality is that after the dust settles, it is the Undergraduates and the next batch
about to enter the University, who have suffered from the turmoil of the past 6
months, and it does not look as if there is any relief for their grouses.
Let
us now hope that this press conference provides a useful forum for the next step
and not merely a face-saving exercise to prove each party’s point in the debate.
It should address all the matters of interest now to the students who have suffered
in this tug of war with solutions to their grievances in the overall context of
better facilities, better teaching environment, better and more up to date syllabi,
with employability as a goal for all students at the conclusion of their studies.
It
is important therefore that the real beneficiaries and in the same vein those who
suffered most from this action, the students and future students to the State University
System come first. All steps MUST be taken to ensure that their rights are restored
and they are able to resume their studies and are able to catch up with the lost
classes so that there is NO delay in their graduation and future employment prospects
as a result of the past union action.
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