-As UL Faculty, Staff Reject Back-to-Work Order
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – The University of Liberia (UL) remains paralyzed by an escalating labor dispute, as faculty and staff defy a directive to return to work on Monday despite a high-level intervention by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
The University of Liberia Faculty and Staff Association (ULFASA) has ordered all members to remain “disengaged” from academic and administrative duties, directly rejecting an August 15 memorandum from UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan and Board Chair Senator Numene T.H. Bartekwa that mandated a return to campus.
The standoff threatens the scheduled resumption of classes on August 25 and has drawn in students, politicians, and the highest levels of government. On Saturday, the leadership of the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA) and the University of Liberia Staff Association (ULSA) met with President Boakai at his Paynesville residence to present the resolutions adopted by their General Assembly.
ULFA President Assistant Professor Alahaji S. M. Dukuly articulated the concerns of faculty and staff, emphasizing the urgent need for meaningful interventions to address challenges at the university.
In response, President Boakai acknowledged the concerns and initiated steps aimed at amicable resolution. He recognized the urgent need for the immediate commencement of renovation and rehabilitation works across the university’s campuses as a demonstration of good faith.
According to a ULFASA communication, the President announced the establishment of a special committee to investigate matters relating to the university’s financial management and confirmed that representatives of ULFA and ULSA would serve on the renovation committee overseeing the implementation of works across the campuses.
The meeting follows a high-level coordination meeting convened at the Executive Mansion on August 4, where the President directed the UL administration to accelerate campus renovation and modernization, expressing “serious concern over the slow pace of implementation despite significant Government investment”. The Government had appropriated approximately US$6.3 million for renovation and modernization.
Administration Orders Return, Union Digs In
Despite the presidential intervention, the crisis deepened on Friday when President Maparyan and Senator Bartekwa ordered all faculty and staff to report to campus on Monday, August 17, at 8:00 AM to prepare for the August 25 resumption of classes. The memorandum warned that “disruption, unauthorized absence, and non-compliance will be addressed in accordance with institutional policy.”
ULFASA swiftly rejected the mandate, describing it in a press release as “dictatorial slave mentality” and “the lowest in the history of leadership at the University.” The union has taken the extraordinary step of declaring President Maparyan, the Acting Vice President for Finance and Fiscal Affairs, Senator Bartekwa, and the Associate Vice President for Human Resources as persona non grata on all university campuses, labeling them “dangerous to the existence of the University of Liberia.”
The union’s statement instructs all faculty and staff to “remain disengaged from all Academic and Staff Activities until the wishes of the General Assembly are fully fulfilled,” and emphasizes that “absolutely, no Academic or Administrative employee shall report to work.”
Crisis Background
The current standoff stems from a July 17 joint General Assembly where faculty and staff passed a unanimous vote of no confidence in President Maparyan and two senior administrators, citing unresolved labor grievances. The unions demanded full payment of NASSCORP contributions, a 40 percent salary increase, salary adjustments to eliminate disparities, changes in employment status for affected workers, and operational funding for various university departments.
President Maparyan has described the concerns as “legitimate” and urged dialogue to resolve the matter, while also warning administrators that participation in the strike could result in suspension or dismissal.
The Student Unification Party (SUP) has rallied over 25,000 students to demand the reopening of the university on August 25, adding a new dimension to the standoff. The political arena has also weighed in heavily, with Simeon Freeman, Political Leader of the Movement for Progressive Change (MPC), describing the current condition of the University of Liberia as a “recipe for chaos” during a town hall meeting with SUP leadership.
Freeman criticized the state of the main campus, arguing that “the UL main campus does not look good for students to sit and acquire education,” and warned without urgent intervention, “the situation will continue to produce frustration among students and faculty.”
While the leadership of ULFASA has characterized the presidential intervention as “significant progress” and a demonstration of the Government’s willingness to engage, they remain committed to ensuring that the full resolutions adopted by the General Assembly are achieved.
“Accordingly, while these negotiations continue, all faculty and staff members are requested to remain disengaged from all academic and administrative duties at the University of Liberia,” the union stated.
The union leadership has pledged to convene the membership whenever there are significant developments or tangible progress toward the implementation of its resolutions.
Late Saturday, President Maparyan posted on Facebook with video showing reroofing work underway at the Capitol Hill campus, writing: “High-impact, quick-turnaround renovation underway at UL Capitol Hill Campus!!! Full reroofing of CPAV has begun!! Not yet the ultimate…but a good and promising start!!!”
