Why We Postponed Decision On Nationwide Strike – ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has revealed why it postponed its decision to embark on a nationwide strike.

Naija News recalls that the union had announced plans to commence strike over the failure of the Muhammadu Buhari government to meet its demands.

A statement on Monday signed by its President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, said it postponed its decision to embark on a strike due to the ongoing intervention and consultation efforts.

Osodeke disclosed that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union came up with the resolution at its NEC meeting held at its Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja, on Sunday.

He accused the Buhari government of blackmailing the union and going back on the plan to set up an inter-ministerial committee to review the draft Renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement.

The statement reads: “NEC was worried by the spirited efforts of government agents to reduce the demands of ASUU to a regime of intermittent payment of watered-down revitalisation fund and release of distorted and grossly devalued Earned Academic Allowances.

“ASUU shall not relent in demanding improvement in the welfare and conditions of service of our members. However, we shall resist any attempt to blackmail the union and derail our patriotic struggle for a productive university system by official propaganda founded on tokenism and crumb-sharing.

“NEC concluded that government has failed to satisfactorily address all the issues raised in the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement and subsequent MoUs and MoAs.

“However, considering the ongoing intervention and consultation efforts, NEC resolved to review the situation at a later date with a view to deciding on the next line of action.”