Maryland County: Tubman University Agrees to pay Honorarium to Former TC Employees

In the 70s, the late President of the Republic of Liberia, H. E. Dr. William V. S. Tubman dream became a reality - The William V. S. Tubman College of Technology was built and operational. Before its closure, it graduated a huge number of Liberian and citizens of other sister African countries.

In 1989, a generalized anarchy of violence was unleashed in Liberia setting the stage for a brutal uncivil war. Tens and tens of hundreds of thousands of Liberian citizens and residents died. The violence went across the entire country. Suddenly, The Tubman College of Technology (TC) was forced to shut down. When the violence ceased 14 years later, the citizens returned home from refugee camps around the world to start their lives all over again. When the College reopened, it became a university. It is named after the same late President. Instead of Tubman College of Technology, it is now called, Tubman University (TU).

The "Aggrieve" workers of TC began to demand their wages from TU. According to them their wages were outstanding prior to the closing of TC. They could not convince TU administration. So TU administration refused to take responsibility for the liabilities of TC on grounds the Legislature had dissolved TC and established TU. TU administration claimed it had no record to identify previous employees of TC and their wages that were under question. And this is because the war had destroyed all the Records of TC. As such, TU could not pay any of the TC workers.

This negotiation between TU and the TC "Aggrieved" workers went on for two years without any successful agreement.

In June, 2010, the "Aggrieved" workers approached me to mediate on their behalf. I agreed and I did. Immediately, the TU administration agreed to pay them a Token for their services to TC. TU said it won't pay any outstanding salaries. I communicated this to the "Aggrieved" workers. After one week of perusal of TU's position, the "Aggrieve workers reached an agreement to accept what was being offer them. They told me that they had no choice but to get "something" than "nothing" at all. As such, I concluded the Agreement with TU. On November 1, 2010, all TC "Aggrieved" workers began to pick up their "Token." Below is the Public Service Announcement:

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT


William V. S. Tubman University has resolved to give an Honorarium of USD $100 in its Liberian equivalent to Hundred & Seven (107) aggrieved former Employees of the William V. S. Tubman College of Technology (TC), as a Token for the services rendered before the closing of the college due to the Liberian Civil War. This settlement does not include former employees of TC that are currently employed at Tubman University. The period of this settlement is 90 days, commencing November 1, 2010.

In view of the above, all concerned individuals are hereby advised to report to the Finance office of Tubman University beginning November 1, 2010 to file and collect their claim. Two (2) 0f the following five (5) forms of identification are required:

1. Tubman College of Technology (TC) ID Card
2. Liberia’s Driver’s License
3. Liberian Birth Certificate
4. A Liberian property Deed (Original. No photo copy will be accepted)
5. A Pastor and/or Bishop to identify anyone who has only one of the above

NOTE: Surviving spouse and children of the deceased former employees of TC must submit marriage and death certificates of the deceased as one (1) of the two (2) forms of identification required.

Immediate relatives of deceased employees of TC are also advised to adhere to the aforementioned conditions.

APPROVED:

Mr. Thomas G. Bedell, MEDIATOR
Aggrieved Former Workers of TC

Dr. Joseph T. Isaac
VICE PRESIDENT for Administration
Tubman University