Abuja zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU) has said it is warming for an indefinite strike over unresolved issues between its mother union and the federal government.
Five branches make up the Abuja zone of the union. They include the Federal University of Technology Minna, University of Abuja, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Lapai, Niger State and Federal University of Lafia.
Acting coordinator of the zone, Professor Gbolahan Bolarin in press briefing in Lafia, decried lack of commitment by the federal government to address the lingering issues.
“After our executive council meeting in Ibadan on August 17 and 18, you would recall that the union gave 21 days ultimatum to the federal government to quickly resolve all the issues we have been battling with then. But unfortunately, we are here today to still talk about those issues.
“These demands are not new to you, but for the purpose of emphasis, one of them is the conclusion of negotiation of the 2009 FG-ASUU agreement for several years without result. Unfortunately, if we move one step forward, the government would take us three steps backwards, so that is why we are still talking about the matter.
“On the release of three and half months salaries of our members during the 2022 strike, the federal government through the court terminated the process of the struggle but our salaries were stopped via a memo by the then minister of labour, Dr. Chris Ngege,” he stated.
He said the zone resolved to give the federal government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the members of the union.
He said the union should not be held responsible for the industrial disharmony that would ensue if the government fails to heed the warning.
(Leadership)
