The big amphitheatre of the National University of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM) in Sogbo Aliho was the venue for an elective general assembly on Wednesday 25 May. It was for the administrative, technical and staff of Unstim of Abomey to join the Administrative, Technical and Service Workers’ Union of National Education (SYNTRATSEN) of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS). This was under the leadership of the national president of the union, Mr Alain Gédéon Gbladja, assisted by the person in charge of claims at national level, Ms Léonida Francisco. The event was graced by the rectoral authority, Professor Joachim Gbénou.
Since its creation, there has been no trade union at the University of Abomey. The time has finally come for the administrative, technical and service staff of this young university to have their own union office. On Wednesday 25 May, all the agents in service at Unstim met in the large classroom of the Sogbo Aliho site for the elective general assembly of the trade union board. According to the president of the national board who chaired the meeting, no one can be a member of Syntratsen without being a member.
This strong mobilisation of Unstim’s administrative staff not only contributes to the revitalisation of Syntratsen’s structures at the grassroots level, but above all strengthens the workers’ fighting for the well-being of Unstim’s workers. “This is the second time in my life that for the setting of a union board in a university, I find myself next to the rectoral authority,” he said. Thus, the president of the national office informed the audience about the fundamental texts and the notable progress made by the Syntratsen thanks to these negotiations with successive ministerial authorities for the improvement of the conditions of workers in Benin’s public universities.
Alain Gédéon Gbladja then launched the electoral process which recorded only one list: ACTIVE SOLIDARITY. This list headed by Serge M. SESSOU was elected with 60 votes FOR, 04 AGAINSTand 04 NULL. The Syntratsen UNSTIM ABOMEY board is presented as follows:
1- President: SESSOU M. Serge ;
2- Administrative Secretary: ADENON Akim;
3- General Treasurer: Mrs ADANVOEDO Diane;
4- Secretary in charge of Communication: BISSIRIOU Assibe
5- Cultural Affairs and Claims Officer : LOKO Associate.
According to the texts, this board has a mandate of 4 years to carry out, in accordance with the provisions of the law, all negotiations with the rectoral authority for the improvement of the living and working conditions of all Unstim’s agents.
At the end of their installation, the president of SYNTRATSEN-UNSTIM, in the name of his team, thanked all the actors who responded to the call with one voice. “It was not a foregone conclusion, but we succeeded. In the name of this solidarity, we are going to act together so that all the administrative staff really feel concerned by the actions to be carried out for the well-being of all,” he said. Finally, he thanked the rector Joachim Djimon Gbenou who very early on understood the need for this university to have this decision-making body, which must accompany the initiatives of the rectoral council for which he is responsible.
The rectoral authority took the opportunity to zoom in on his trade union experiences to his agents. In a non-partisan way, he then called on the elected officials to be good listeners and responsible. His invitation to all agents was to show solidarity and then to really support the board through contributions. This is the only way to give real meaning to the fight.
Lionel Effio