Strike looms as ASUU threaten week-long industrial action

ASUU president, Ukachukwu Awuzie (L) with other executives. Photo: NAN

Unless the Federal Government accedes to the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and implements the pending aspects of its agreement with the latter within13 days, another strike looms in the universities.

The university teachers also chided the government over its handling of the union’s demands since 2009, the controversial privatization programme, war on corruption and security issues.

Addressing newsmen in Ibadan after a two-day National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which held at the University of Ibadan (UI) at the weekend, national president, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, said ASUU gave government up till September 25 to address the issues raised and ensure full implementation of the accord.

Highlight

Leaders resolve to start one-week warning strike from 26 September Next line of action to be decided after the expiration of the one week Issues include funding requirements to revitalize the university system from 2009 to 2011, progressive increase of budgetary allocations to education by 26 per cent, transfer of Federal Government property to universities, setting up of research and development units by firms and payment of earned allowances

He directed members nationwide to begin a one-week warning strike at the expiration of the deadline if government fails to implement the union’s demands. The NEC shall reconvene again to review the situation and decide on the next line of action, he said.

Among the bones of contention are: funding requirements to revitalize the university system from 2009 to 2011, progressive increase of budgetary allocations to education by 26 per cent, transfer of Federal Government property to universities, setting up of research and development units by firms and payment of earned allowances.

Prof. Awuzie also identified proposed review of the pension law to effect the 70-year retirement age for academics in the professorial cadre as another area requiring official action, faulting the then Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili and her Education counterpart, Prof Ruquayat Rufa’i’s claim that this had been approved.

“It is embarrassing that two years after that claim; government is yet to review the Pension Act to give effect to this assertion. It was only after several visits to the National Assembly and the Ministry of Education that it became clear that a wrong bill was passed by the House of Representatives while the correct bill was abandoned by the Senate after the first reading,” Awuzie said.

The ASUU boss regretted that the bill had since been gathering dust, while less important bills were attended to by the lawmakers.
He said the union was not satisfied with the Federal Government merely paying attention as usual, to the implementation of the salary component of the agreement, even as he noted that, “a vital component of the conditions of service, earned allowances is yet to be implemented”

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