Imo Varsity Lecturers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Delayed Entitlements

The Imo State University (IMSU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has embarked on an indefinite strike to press home their demands.

Chairperson and Secretary of ASUU-IMSU, Comrade Odinakachukwu Ejiogu and Comrade Lazarus Chikwendu, in a jointly signed statement, stated that the industrial action followed several unresolved issues that persisted for years.

“We are embarking on total and comprehensive indefinite strike effective Monday, 23 September. The decision stems from several unresolved issues that have persisted for years.

“We demand an end to promotion without financial benefits since 2016, ASUU-IMSU staff salary disparity with other tertiary institutions, undue delay in staff assessment and promotion, selective salary payment, and non-payment of arrears of salaries”.

Other demands of the union included “non-payment of earned academic allowance since 2009, non-remittance of Union check off/welfare dues from 2020-2021, non-remittance of pension deduction from May 2016 to date, non-payment of annual increment in salaries, the inclusion of IMSU into Treasury Single Account, funding of the University and erosion of the University autonomy.”

The union stressed that, “We have made several attempts through letters, rallies, meetings and press releases,” saying, “no concrete action has been taken by the university administration, governing council, and the visitor to the university”.

It further recalled, “We issued 21 days’ notice on the 18th of July this year so that the University could resolve all the issues, but no solution came. We were compelled to proceed on indefinite strike to press home our demands.”

Ejiogu called for the understanding and support of the public as members of ASUU “stand for justice on improved conditions and a brighter future for the university.”