The Academic Staff Union of Universities is currently preparing for a new 21-day nationwide strike, driven by un-implemenataion of agreements reached with the Federal Government and have made arrangements to submit a formal notice, stating their intent for the strike.
This decision was made during a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
It is reported that the ASUU members are particularly dissatisfied with the continued use of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for salary payments, which they claim is improperly deducting their wages, adding that there are other many unresolved issues on ground.
“You and I know that there are many unresolved issues on the ground. We won’t hesitate to embark on another strike if our demands are not met.
“Our demands are very clear, but the government thinks they are smart and play on our intelligence,” the university lecturer said.
An anonymous official disclosed that the strike notice is being issued in compliance with the Trade Dispute Act, and that the formal letter will be sent to the Federal Ministries of Education and Labour by Tuesday.
“It is not an ultimatum but a strike notice. We are giving them 21 days’ notice, after which we shall embark on strike.
“Our aim for putting out the notice is that it is a requirement under labour laws so we are trying to ensure that all our actions are done according to the law,” the source said.
“Despite the President’s previous promise to remove university lecturers from the IPPIS platform, it is being used for salary payments, leading to further frustration within the Union,” the anonymous official added.
Both the President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke and the spokesperson of the Labour ministry, Mrs Patience Onuobia could not be reached for confirmation.
Several phone calls to the ASUU President were not answered, and he was yet to reply to a text message sent to him as at when filing this report Monday night.
Also, phone calls to the mobile phone of Mrs Onuobia, did not connect, and there was no reply to a text message sent to her as at when filing this report.
