Education

No Work, No Pay: You can’t force us to resume – ASUU

By Web News 656

The Academic Staff Union of Universities says its members are not beggars and that the stoppage of their salaries by the government won’t force them to call off their strike.

The leadership of the union also commended the members for keeping faith with the union despite the hardship imposed on their families as a result of the No-Work-No-Pay directive of the Federal Government.

Following the failure of the government to meet some lingering demands of the union, ASUU on February 14, 2022 announced a one-month warning strike, followed by another eight-week strike before it eventually commenced its indefinite strike.

The continued strike led to the imposition of No-Work-No-Pay by the Federal Government.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, said the directive was in compliance with Section 43 of the Labour Law.

Though some of the demands by the union are still undergoing negotiations, the ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed optimism that the union was on the threshold of victory as its resolve has forced the government to engage in negotiations.

He said, “As the struggle continues, our members are commended for their commitment and steadfastness in the patriotic struggle for the survival of the university system in our country.”

“Our members are particularly applauded for keeping faith with the union in spite of the hardship imposed on our families as a result of the stoppage of salaries. They have made the statement loud and clear that we are not beggars and, as a result, hunger is an impotent instrument to break our resolve.”

“Our cast-iron resolve has forced the government to sit down and negotiate with us. We have had five meetings with the Federal Government team and two meetings with the Minister of Education. The renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement is progressing smoothly and has reached an advanced stage.”

“However, we must remain focused to the end of this struggle. UTAS (University Transparency and Accountability Solution) has been tested for the third time. So far, NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency) has tested UTAS and UPS and will start testing IPPIS next week. We are undeterred by the antics of some government officials in this respect.

“We are on the threshold of victory. Let us keep faith with the union. A people united can never be defeated.” Professor Osodeke added

Punch/Maxwell Oyekunle

Education

ASUU Strike: No End in Sight Yet as Union Extends Action By two Months

By Web News 887

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has extended its ongoing industrial action by eight weeks.

A high ranking official of the Union, Professor Abdulkadir Danbazau made this known to newsmen on Monday.

By this development, the Federal government now has two months to make good its initial promise to the leadership of ASUU.

Prof. Danbazau, who confirmed the report to The Guardian, said the union’s latest decision was influenced by the need to allow it and the federal government to reach a solid agreement to avoid further strikes in the future.

Danbazau added that the two months were enough for the government to do the needful.

Before this, there were indications that ASUU might declare a total strike on Monday following the government’s refusal to meet its demands.

A member of ASUU’s National Executive Council who spoke on condition of anonymity stated that this may be the fallout of a planned meeting to be held in the University of Abuja on Monday.

The ASUU NEC member added that the majority of ASUU chapters had earlier voted to continue the strike since the government was yet to meet a significant number of the demands.

He said: “Yes, we are meeting today on the ongoing strike and other matters.” Asked if the strike could be called off after the meeting, he replied: “Not likely. There is no positive development that I know of.”

ASUU had begun four weeks nationwide Strike on February,14,2022.

ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke had lamented that the union’s demands on the revitalization of public universities, earned academic allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) promotion arrears, renegotiation of 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, and inconsistencies in Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system (IPPIS) payments have been neglected after meetings with Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.

Olaolu Fawole