The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday rose from its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting with a resolution not to embark on another strike action.
The union, however, condemned an attempt by the federal government to turn the academics into casual workers through the so-called ‘pro-rata’ payment for 18 days.
In a statement issued after the end of the NEC meeting, ASUU national president, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, noted that the university teachers are intellectuals and not casual workers.
He said the union suspended its eight-month 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, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Osodeke noted that the action of the Union was a display of manifest trust in the judiciary as well as other institutions and organs of government to always put national interest above all other considerations.
The ASUU president, however, lamented the response of the government through the ‘pro-rata’ payment for 18-day as the October 2022 salaries of the academics.
He said, “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.
“Unfortunately, the response of the 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.
“At an emergency meeting of the ASUU’s National Executive Committee (NEC), held on Monday, 7th November, 2022, the Union deliberated on developments since the suspension of the strike.
“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.
“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 ASUU leadership sought the understanding of Nigerian students, parents and other genuinely concerned individuals and groups, as the union continues to pursue positive resolution of the crisis within the ambit of legality without compromising the interests and welfare of Nigerian intellectuals.
ASUU had announced an emergency meeting on Monday following the October 2022 salary cut received by its members.
The decision by the academic body has doused the tension within the university system that it may be embarking on another industrial action.
To douse the apprehension, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, appealed to ASUU to be patient over the half pay by the Federal Government.
He assured the lecturers, in a statement, that lasting solutions to their concerns were being sought, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari was treating their fresh protest.
Gbajabiamila also announced that arrangements have been made for a N170 billion fund for ASUU in the 2023 budget.
