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Tag: Strike

  • Yobe health workers suspend strike

    Yobe health workers suspend strike

    The Joint Association of Medical and Health Workers Union in Yobe has suspended the strike it started on Friday morning.

    The workers went on strike demanding the payment of their hazard allowances approved by the state government in 2019.

    The union’s Chairman in the state, Satomi Hikama, disclosed this to journalists in Damaturu on Friday.

    He said the strike was called off after the leadership of the union reached an agreement with the state government.

    “We embarked on strike action this morning to demand the implementation of our hazard allowances, which a circular was issued during the COVID-19 outbreak to be implemented across the country.

    “In Yobe, only few individuals are currently enjoying this allowances and other demands.

    “After meeting with the Deputy Governor, Idi Barde-Gubana, the strike action has now been suspended as government pledged to implement the allowances by September ending 2024,” Hikama said.

    Members of the union include the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwifery.

  • FG urges NARD to call off 7-day warning strike

    FG urges NARD to call off 7-day warning strike

    The Federal Government has appealed to the members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD0 to call off their seven-day warning strike.

    The Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa,made the call on Thursday in Kaduna during a visit to the National Eye Centre.

    According to Alausa, negotiations are ongoing to ensure the safety of their kidnapped colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola.

    The minister said that the Federal Government and security agencies were working hard to rescue Popoola.

    He said, “We are on top of the matter and have been on talking terms with  the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu ,regarding the issue.

    “I have spoken with the Commissioner of Police and everyone is working hard to see that she is released.”

    The minister said that he had held a meeting on Monday with the leadership  of NARD over the situation to convince them to call off the strike because it would worsen the situation.

    ” We don’t believe this warning strike will do anything. All hands are on deck to secure her release.

    ” For the past two days, we know she is alive and that’s good news for us as the security are working hard to bring her back alive,” he said.

    Alausa added that the kidnappers kept changing their demands every moment but the security agencies were working hard to see that she was safely rescued.

    “I appeal to you to call off the strike and let’s keep praying that she comes back home in peace,” the minister passionately appealed.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the members of the association began a seven-day warning strike to push for the rescue of a Kaduna-based doctor, Dr Ganiyat Popoola.

    Popoola, a staff of the centre, was kidnapped in December, 2023 and has now spent about nine months in the kidnappers’ den.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of the association, National Eye Centre,  Dr Ibrahim Mohammed, told NAN that the strike was still on.

    He said that the medical and dental consultants had joined them in the strike and it was a directive from the national body.

  • BREAKING: ASUU gives FG deadline to avert strike

    BREAKING: ASUU gives FG deadline to avert strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said the federal government (FG) has up to September 6th to address the demands of lecturers in the country. This is coming after a closed door meeting between ASUU and the FG on Wednesday.

    At the end of a meeting by both parties on Wednesday in Abuja, a sub-committee was set up to review ASUU’s demands while the government promised to ensure lasting solutions to the crisis. Both parties also agreed to reconvene on September 6.

    The meeting which lasted for about two and half hours was at the instance of the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman and had in attendance the leadership of ASUU led by its National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke.

    Recall that ASUU had on August 19 at the end of its NEC meeting held at the University of Ibadan (UI), issued a 21-day strike notice to the federal government over some unmet demands.

    Briefing newsmen at the end of the closed door meeting ASUU President expressed hope that all issues would have been resolved before the September 6 meeting.

    “We have met to discuss all the issues and review them. We have given government between now and the next meeting to see what they have to do. We believe in the interest of the Nigerian child and we will be protecting their interest if the issues are resolved amicably,” Prof. Osodeke said.

    Also briefing newsmen at the end of the closed door meeting, the Minister of Education confirmed that both parties agreed to reconvene on September 6th, adding that a compromise was reached during the meeting with a view to avert the strike notice issued by the union.

    Mamman said a sub-committee had been set up to review the demands of the union, and ensure that all grey areas are ironed out and resolved.

    TNG reports the strike notice by ASUU is expected to elapse on September 9, three days after the rescheduled meeting.

    In addressing the demand of the union, the Minister, earlier today, constituted an implementation monitoring committee of NEEDS Assessment intervention fund for Nigerian public universities

    ASUU is seeking a comprehensive overhaul of the university system, including improved infrastructure, enhanced academic freedom, and a more sustainable funding model.

    Other demands of the union, included,  the release of revitalisation funds for universities, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, and release of earned allowances for university lecturers. Others are deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).

  • FG, ASUU in crucial meeting to avert strike

    FG, ASUU in crucial meeting to avert strike

    The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are currently holding a meeting to avert the strike notice issued by the union.

    According to NAN, the meeting  which started at about 2.17 p.m. at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Secretariat, Abuja, was at the instance of the federal government.

    The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman is leading the Government team while ASUU team is led by the national President of the association, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke

    Addressing newsmen before the meeting went into closed session, Mamman, said his team would share light on what the federal government had been doing since its last meeting with the union.

    The minister acknowledged that a committee was set up to review the demands of the union but could not go on, as a result of the nationwide protest.

    “For us in the ministry, we will continue from where we stopped at our earlier meeting and find ways to progress.

    “We share with you the desire to have stability in the education system. The federal government will continue to do what is right to have good education.

    “We want to ensure that our students remain in campus and the government is committed to give the university system the best it deserves,” he said.

    On his part,  Osodeke expressed worry over the failure of the government to resolve their lingering issues.

    He recalled that the union,  on Aug. 19,  at the end of its NEC meeting held at the University of Ibadan, issued a 21-day strike notice to the federal government.

    Osodeke also narrated the development that led to the strike notice.

    ”We shelve the last strike because we were promised of quick resolution to our demands.

    “For 15 months, all issues raised has not been resolved. We hope that after this meeting we have a landmark of achievements to resolve our issues,” he said.

    Elaborating on the union’s demands,  Osodeke stated that ASUU was seeking a comprehensive overhaul of the university system, including improved infrastructure, enhanced academic freedom, and a more sustainable funding model.

    He emphasised that the union’s ultimate goal was to ensure that Nigerian universities could compete with their global counterparts in terms of quality and output.

  • FG told to take urgent steps to avert looming ASUU strike

    FG told to take urgent steps to avert looming ASUU strike

    The National Association of University Students (NAUS), Ogun Chapter, says a stakeholders’ meeting to address the impending industrial action by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) members is needed urgently.

    The students’ union, while expressing deep concern over the potential disruption to the academic calendar and the negative impact on students’ future, advised the Federal Government to urgently convene the meeting.

    Ogun NAUS Chairman, Mr Hammed Akinjetan, on Tuesday in Abeokuta disclosed the chapter’s appeal in a statement he jointly signed with the chapter’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr John Uformadu.

    The chapter Chairman disclosed that they appealed to the Federal Government to prioritise dialogue and compromise to prevent a strike.

    He restated the importance of a peaceful resolution to safeguard the students’ academic progress and maintain the integrity of higher education in the state.

    Akinjetan, in addition to the call for a stakeholders’ meeting, added that the students’ union also urged the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, to increase subventions for higher institutions in the state.

    He said the chapter commended the governor for his previous efforts in supporting education, and highlighted the need for further investment to ensure the quality and affordability of tertiary education.

    “The students also requested the governor to donate one more bus to a Federal university in Ogun, following his generous donations to two other universities in the state.

    “We emphasised the critical role of transportation in facilitating students’ access to education and urged the governor to consider the unique needs of the remaining federal institution.

    “We believe that by working together —— the government, ASUU, and all stakeholders —— we can find a mutually beneficial solution to avert a strike and ensure the continued progress of our education system,” Akinjetan said.

    He however assured that NAUS Ogun would remain committed in advocating for students’ rights and welfare.

    “We will also continue to engage with relevant authorities to address the challenges facing higher education in the state.”

  • Strike: FG invites ASUU for meeting

    Strike: FG invites ASUU for meeting

    The Federal Government will meet with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other stakeholders on Monday to address the strike notice issued by the union.

    Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists during a briefing on his one year in office in Abuja on Friday.

    ASUU had earlier issued a 21-day strike notice to the government over unresolved issues, including revitalisation funds for public universities, payment of outstanding earned academic allowances, and release of withheld salaries.

    The minister said letters of invitation had been sent to ASUU leadership and other relevant organisations.

    “Most of the issues raised by ASUU are being attended to. The issue of exit from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) has been resolved by the President, but bureaucracy has caused delays.”

    Mamman expressed optimism that the meeting on Monday would yield positive results, saying, “By the time we meet on Monday, some of these issues would be discussed and resolved.”

    He assured that President Bola Tinubu was committed to academic stability and would provide support to prevent academic disruption.

    “Most of ASUU’s demands started in 1981, and every government has faced ASUU strikes.”

    The minister emphasised that the government was committed to finding a lasting solution to the issues, saying, “We will do everything possible to make sure we don’t go on strike.”

  • BREAKING! Shut down Nigeria if Ajaero is detained, NLC directs all workers nationwide

    BREAKING! Shut down Nigeria if Ajaero is detained, NLC directs all workers nationwide

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has directed its affiliates members and all workers in the country to immediately shutdown the economy if the Nigerian Police arrest the Congress President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

    Recall that the Police had last night invited the NLC President to its headquarters for questioning over the allegation of involvement in terrorism financing among others.

    The development led to the convocation of emergency National Executive Council, NEC, meeting at the Labour House where the Congress resolved to write to the Police for extension of time to enable it consult with its lawyers.

    Briefing the workers, who had assembled at the Labour House in solidarity with the Congress President and to follow him to the Police headquarters, the NLC Deputy President, Kabiru Ado Sani, said that the invitation to Ajaero was invitation to workers.

    According to him, at the end of the meeting, we reached some certain resolutions. Part of the resolutions is that, as a committed labour center that we agreed or that we abide by the rule of law and due process.

    “We will honor the invitation of the Nigerian police, because we are not faceless organization, but we believe that we need an extension of time, after consultation with our lawyers, because this invitation was extended to the Congress President yesterday and asked to report at the police by 10am today.

    So we are already working with our lawyers to look for extension of time, but this does not legitimize the charges by the Nigerian police to the Congress leadership, and secondly, we resolve that in an event our Congress President was arrested or detained at any moment, we put our affiliate on red alert to mobilize our membership across the country, that all workers in this country should down tool their services.

    “This is the resolution because Comrades, this organization belongs to all of us, therefore we should do everything possible to safeguard the safety of this organization. We therefore, thank you very much, and you shoulwait for further directives by our leadership.

    “Whatever happens, we will communicate your leadership, and your leadership will communicate you. So we urge you to remain calm and go back peacefully to our working place and await further directives.

  • BREAKING: ASUP shelves planned nationwide strike

    BREAKING: ASUP shelves planned nationwide strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has shelved its planned industrial action, Mr Simji Lumpye, the Zone B Coordinator of the union, has said.

    Lumpye explained in a statement on Tuesday in Jos that the decision to shelve the planned strike followed a tripartite meeting between the union and government.

    Recall that ASUP had on July 19, issued a 15-day ultimatum to government on the contentious scheme of service released by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

    ”I wish to inform the general public and our esteemed members that, government immediately convened a tripartite meeting between it, NBTE and our union.

    ”Far-reaching decisions were reached, which includes the suspension of the implementation of the released scheme of service, the convening of the meeting of all stakeholders to further scrutinise the document and make the necessary adjustment and correction.

    ”That the Executive Secretary of NBTE should issue a circular directing the suspension of the implementation of the scheme of service to all chairmen of Governing Councils, rectors and provosts of schools.

    ”The union at its emergency National Executive Council meeting on July 2, resolved among other things to put on hold her earlier resolution to embark on an industrial action after the expiration of her ultimatum,” he said.

    Lumpye thanked the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, the leadership of the union and other stakeholders for playing key roles toward averting the impending strike.

  • Why we suspended planned strike – ASUP

    Why we suspended planned strike – ASUP

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) suspended its planned industrial action following the Federal Government’s intervention regarding a contentious new scheme of service, an official said.

    Dr Iloma Richard, ASUP Zone D Coordinator, said this during an interview in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    He said that the union had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to suspend the implementation of the disputed policy or face industrial action.

    “But, before the ultimatum expired on July 22, the Federal Ministry of Education convened a tripartite meeting with ASUP and NBTE on July 19.

    “The meeting resulted in a decision to suspend the implementation of the contentious document via an official circular addressed to all relevant authorities, which NBTE complied with.

    “The meeting further resolved that a review process of the flawed scheme of service by critical stakeholders be initiated by NBTE,” he said.

    Richard noted that ASUP’s National Executive Council (NEC) was satisfied with the terms reached during the meeting.

    “Consequently, the NEC resolved to suspend the proposed industrial action while monitoring the sincerity of the review process,” he concluded.

    The union leader praised the Federal Ministry of Education for its timely intervention and commended NBTE for its understanding.

    “We are grateful to ASUP chapters, rectors, provosts, and students for their support during the process,” he emphasised.

    The disputed issues in the new scheme include the requirement that made the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation an approving authority of polytechnics.

    Others are the discriminatory minimum employment requirement for Bachelors degree holders set at second class lower, and upper credits for polytechnic graduates.

    Additionally, issues such as an extended promotion period for lecturers, non-academic designation for academic staff, and the reclassification of technologists as non-academic staff among others.

  • UniAbuja ASUU suspends 82-day strike

    UniAbuja ASUU suspends 82-day strike

    Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja chapter, has announced the suspension of its 82-day strike with immediate effect.

    Chairperson of ASUU, Dr Sylvanus Ugoh, announced the suspension of the strike at a news briefing in Abuja on Monday, short after the congress held by the union.

    Ugoh hinged the suspension of the strike on the union’s engagement with the institution’s new Governing Council, which promised to review all their demands and address them.

    NAN reports that ASUU had, on May 2, embarked on the indefinite strike to protest violation of its established laws, including appointments and promotions of members of staff, in the absence of a governing council.

    Other issues, according to the union, are: the purported illegal advertorial for the position of vice-chancellor by the then Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Alla-led administration, and recruitments without due process.

    Ugoh said that the council had met with the union and agreed to cancel the advert and republish a new one, following due process.

    He said that the council also agreed to review the process of employment, which the union was against, and review the issue of promotion, especially the 2022/2023 exercise.

    “Within these 82 days, we have been engaging with the former vice-chancellor but he did not shift ground.

    “He refused to comply with the rules; he refused to comply with the act establishing the university and follow due process.

    “After all the procedures failed, the union embarked on a comprehensive and indefinite strike,” he said.

    Ugoh said that since the inauguration of the council, the union had been engaging the council and the university management.

    He said that the council met with ASUU on July 18 and communicated to it in writing on the issues bordering on the strike.

    “The council wrote the union and agreed to cancel the advert that was placed before now and re-advertise for the position of the vice-chancellor and that was actually the demand of the union.

    “The council also agreed with the union to review the process of recruitment that was done without due process.

    “According to the act, the process of employment of staff in the university is clear: there must be an advert in the national daily.

    “This process was not followed, but the council has agreed to review it and get back to the union,” he stated.

    Ugoh said that the council also agreed to review the promotion exercise, especially the 2022/2023 exercise.

    He added that the new council had also directed that the election into the positions of deans of faculties and provost of college of health sciences be conducted.

    “As for the position of director of the micro-finance bank, the acting vice-chancellor, through the secretary to the bank, has communicated with us that the union should take its position in the board of directors.

    “So with these, and also in honour of the new council and the acting vice-chancellor, the union has reviewed the submissions of the council and we just finished from the congress.

    “The congress unanimously resolved to suspend the strike so that the university administration will be able to look at the issues,” he said.