Decision Of ASUU Branches On Suspending Strike Emerge
The decision of the branches of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has emerged after members of the union held a meeting today (Wednesday).
Naija News had earlier reported that the branches would meet today to decide on suspending or continuing the eight-month strike. A principal officer of ASUU while speaking on the outcome of the meeting with Daily Sun disclosed that the branches voted to suspend the lingering industrial action. The branches in their respective meetings resolved to ask the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union to suspend the industrial action. The decisions of the various congresses of ASUU will be tabled and discussed at an emergency NEC meeting scheduled for Thursday in Abuja. According to the principal officer each congress was informed of the outcome of the meeting of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila with President Muhammadu Buhari. He disclosed that a major outcome of the meeting is for the Federal Government to pay four months out of the eight months’ salaries after ASUU suspends the strike. The Principal officer further stated, “The president agreed that the remaining four months outstanding salaries will be paid before the end of the years to academic staff in federal universities.” He noted that the various congresses voted to suspend the strike based on the outcome of the Speaker’s meeting with President Buhari. The ASUU official disclosed that NEC will certainly demand that the government offer be documented and signed so that it will not generate another crisis. Speaking on outstanding demands, he said ASUU’s position on the new payment platform, revitalization fund and signing of the Nimi Briggs re-negotiation agreement has not changed. He said, “Those critical outstanding demands are sacrosanct. It is crucial to the survival of public universities. We hope when the strike is suspended, the government will put machinery in motion to conclude the re-negotiation and both parties sign the agreement.” According to him, many of the branch chairmen are on their way to Abuja for the crucial NEC meeting. Speaking on when schools will resume he added, “The issue of resumption will be decided by NEC after consultation. It is the sole responsibility of NEC and members will comply.”
This article was originally published on Naija News