ASUU Resolves Not To Embark On Fresh Strike Over Half Payment For October

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has resolved not to embark on a fresh strike over the half payment of salaries to its members in Federal Government's universities for the month of October 

The union passing the resolution at the  end of  its National Executive Committee (NEC) emergency b meeting held on Monday in Abuja, however, condemned the attempt by the Federal Government  to turn the academics into casual workers through the so-called ‘pro-rata’ payment for 18 days.

President of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke who announced the resolution in statement made available on Tuesday , noted that the University teachers are intellectuals and not casual workers.

"NEC noted with dismay that paying academics on “pro-rata” basis, like casual workers, is unprecedented in the history of university oriented labour relations and therefore condemned this attempt to reduce Nigerian scholars to casual workers in its entirety"

According to him, union suspended its eight-month old strike on October 14, 2022 in obedience to the order of the National Industrial Court and in further consideration of intervention efforts of well-meaning Nigerians, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila 

Osodeke explained that the action of the Union was a display of manifest trust in the judiciary and other institutions and organs of government whom he said should  always put national interest above all other considerations.

The ASUU president expressed disappointed over the response of the government through the so-called ‘pro-rata’ payment for 18-day as the October 2022 salaries of the academics.

“This we believe, as a union of thinkers, intellectuals, and patriots, will not only aid the process of amicable resolution of the crisis, but will also set the tone for smooth industrial relations between Government and Nigerian workers at large", he stated

“Unfortunately, the response of government towards ASUU’s demonstration of trust was the so-called ‘pro-rata’ payment for eighteen days as the October 2022 salaries of academics thereby portraying them as daily paid workers"

“This is not only an aberration, but a contravention of all known rules of engagement in any contract of employment for academics the world over"

“NEC commends the membership of ASUU for their perseverance in the face of untold hardship and unwarranted provocation by some notorious agents of the ruling class.”

The lecturers therefore appealed for the understanding of Nigerian students, parents and other genuinely concerned individuals and groups

The union expressed readiness to pursue its positive resolution of the avoidable crisis within the ambit of legality without compromising the interests and welfare of Nigerian intellectuals.