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Tag: Strike

  • ASUU can’t go on strike again under my watch – Ngige

    ASUU can’t go on strike again under my watch – Ngige

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has said that he will do everything to ensure that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) does not go on another industrial action.

    He explained that three of his biological children have also been victims of the system, so he is personally committed to resolving the issues.

    “I will not give ASUU the opportunity to go on strike. Because I have three biological children that suffered from this imbroglio that we found ourselves in and about 15 people on my scholarship in Nigerian Universities,” the Minister said on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

    “My three biological children are here in Nigerian Universities. They even went to secondary school here. Two of them are American citizens and I had the option of leaving them to go study in America and enjoy the free education or whatever, but I didn’t. So, I am a committed parent. I am involved, even more than some ASUU members because some of them have their children in private schools.”

    Ngige said this hours after the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) “conditionally” suspended its strike, ending a protracted industrial action that started in March.

    National President of the association, Biodun Ogunyemi made the announcement during a briefing of the union in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Ogunyemi explained that the development followed the agreement reached with the Federal Government and a meeting with its National Executive Council (NEC).

    The suspension of the strike takes effect from Thursday, December 24.

    Meanwhile, the union has stressed that it will not hesitate to commence another strike if the government does not keep to its end of the bargain.

    But Ngige has vowed to do everything possible to ensure that does not happen.

    “I will make sure the government does its own bit,” he said.

    He gave an assurance that the agreement reached is so structured “in such a way that it is a win-win situation for everybody.”

    “For the revitalisation, we have given government up to the 31st of January to pay that. We have also opened the window so that by the end of February, we will sit down again and review all these situations. Nobody is going to keep anybody in suspense.”

  • After calling off strike, ASUU says reopening of schools dependent on FG

    After calling off strike, ASUU says reopening of schools dependent on FG

    The Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) on Wednesday suspended its strike, saying the reopening of schools is dependent on the federal government.

    ASUU National President, Biodun Ogunyemi made this known during a briefing of the union in Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT).

    The suspension of the strike, Ogunyemi said takes effect from Thursday, December 24th, 2020, brought to an end a protracted industrial action that started since March 2020.

    Ogunyemi explained that the development followed an agreement reached with the FG and a meeting with its National Executive Council (NEC).

    While warning that the union would return to strike without notice if the government fails in meeting its part of the agreement reached with the university lecturers, Ogunyemi noted that the reopening of the schools, considering the COVID-19 pandemic, lies with the FG and Senate.

    Professor Ogunyemi thanked students and their parents for their understanding throughout the 10-month period and said: “no amount of sacrifice would be too much to get the matter resolved as long as the government is consistent with its commitments”.

  • BREAKING: ASUU suspends 10-month-old strike

    BREAKING: ASUU suspends 10-month-old strike

    The Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) on Wednesday “conditionally” suspended its strike, which started since March 2020.

    ASUU National President, Biodun Ogunyemi made the announcement during a briefing of the union in Abuja, explaining that the development followed consultations with its National Executive Council (NEC).

     

    Details to follow…

  • Strike: After NANS threat, ASUU convenes emergency NEC meeting

    Strike: After NANS threat, ASUU convenes emergency NEC meeting

    Following a threat issued by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called for an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the ASUU emergency NEC meeting would be followed by a meeting between the union and the federal government on Tuesday by 4:00 PM.

    The ASUU emergency NEC meeting has been slated for Monday (today) evening to consider reports from all branches.

    The ASUU had said it was yet interfacing with its member branches to consider FG’s offer to call off the strike.

    Meanwhile, NANS had said both the FG and ASUU must resolve their differences and end the long-overdue strike before January 5, 2021.

    The union made this known in a statement released on Sunday, Dec. 20

    Comrade Sunday Asefon, the student association president threatened that if both parties don’t oblige by the given date, the association would take strategic actions.

    “The Federal Government and ASUU will face the students and tell us why we have to suffer this much,” he said.

    The union president said the ongoing strike is the longest in the history of the country.

    He explained that the strike has been long enough to be called off saying it is ridiculous that both the FG and ASUU have not found a common ground.

    The unending nature of the strike the president noted has left students with no choice but to do all it can to bring an end to the strike.

    Asefon also noted that NANS should have a third party representative in every FG and ASUU meeting for posterity sake and transparency in leadership.

  • Strike: Nigerian students give ASUU, FG January 5 ultimatum

    Strike: Nigerian students give ASUU, FG January 5 ultimatum

    National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has said that both the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) must resolve their differences and end the long-overdue strike before January 5, 2021.

    The union made this known in a statement released on Sunday, Dec. 20

    Comrade Sunday Asefon, the student association president threatened that if both parties don’t oblige by the given date, the association would take strategic actions.

    “The Federal Government and ASUU will face the students and tell us why we have to suffer this much,” he said.

    The union president said the ongoing strike is the longest in the history of the university in Nigeria. He explained that the strike has been long enough to be called off saying it is ridiculous that both the FG and ASUU have not found a common ground.

    The unending nature of the strike the president noted has left students with no choice but to do all it can to bring an end to the strike.

    Asefon also noted that NANS should have a third party representative in every FG and ASSU meeting for posterity sake and transparency in leadership.

    The student union president again expressed delight over the safe release of the 344 abducted schoolboys in Kankara, Katsina State.

    He said The welfare and safety of Nigerian students across all the 36 states and diaspora is one of his priorities and as long as he remains the revolutionary President of NANS.

  • Poly workers to commence two weeks warning strike Jan 4

    Poly workers to commence two weeks warning strike Jan 4

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic (SSANIP) would commence a two- week warning strike from Monday, 4th January 2021, following federal government’s inability to address her demands.

    Addressing journalists at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, national president of SSANIP, Comrade Adebanjo Ogunsipe, said the union will cripple activities in the nation’s polytechnic should government fail to meet her demands.

    “We want to state without any avoidance of doubt, that we have a government that barely listens or attends to issues.

    “We have a government that care less, whether students are locked away from our various institutions and wasting away valuable time in their lives.

    “We have a government that seems not to u understand any language even when you are pleading for what naturally you should be taken for granted as done and as we have applicable in other decent and well- ruled climes, the world over.

    “Haven considered everything before us, the union resolved at the end of this meeting that at the first instance we are embarking on a 14 – day strike in the first instance, commencing from Monday 4th of January, 2021.

    “We will come back and assess and if the only way and the only system and process that will ensure that things are properly done in the polytechnic system is to shutdown the whole polytechnic thereafter, we will not hesitate to do so.”

    Some of the demands of the polytechnic workers include the implementation of the NEEDS assessment report and release of funds for polytechnic sector; release of scheme of service for the polytechnic; non-payment of complete salaries and arrears of minimum wage for staff of polytechnics and the reconstitution of the Governing Councils of all federal and State polytechnics.

  • BREAKING: ASUU holds emergency meeting with FG to end strike

    BREAKING: ASUU holds emergency meeting with FG to end strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is currently having an emergency indoor meeting with the federal government (FG) with the view to put an end to the lingering strike.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports ASUU and the FG dashed the hope of Nigerians, especially Nigerian students when the union postponed it’s meeting with the FG indefinitely.

    The reason for the postponement, according to Prof Abiodun Ogunyemi, ASUU President, was because the time frame given to the union to consult its members was too short.

    However, the ASUU and FG are currently having an emergency indoor meeting to put an end to the lingering strike.

    Hopefully, the union has finished consulting its members, and after the emergency meeting, there is hope to call off the over 9 months strike.

  • Again, ASUU denies calling off nine-month old strike

    Again, ASUU denies calling off nine-month old strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) said it has not suspended its ongoing nine-month-old strike.

    Dr. Lazarus Maigoro, Chairman of the University of Jos Chapter of ASUU disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Jos.

    According to him, the union has not signed any agreement with the Federal Government to call off the strike as being purported in some quarters.

    He said that the Federal Government had promised to fulfill part of the agreement that led to lingering strike, but had failed to do so till date.

    “It must be categorically stated here that ASUU never signed any agreement to suspend the strike but agreed on timelines for government to implement certain aspects of the issues in contention.

    “For instance, one of the issues agreed was that all the six to nine months withheld salaries and check-off dues of ASUU members will be released by Dec. 9, but the date has passed and nothing was done.

    “The N40 billion earned academic allowances and N30 billion funding for revitalisation will also be released by Dec. 11, among others issues, but till now, none has been fulfilled.

    “The next thing is that we heard Dr Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, telling the public that ASUU agreed to suspend the strike,” he said.

    Maigoro said the minister was quoted in some sections of the media that government has fulfilled its part of the agreement reached to enable the union to call off the industrial action

    “He was quoted to have said government had fulfilled its part of the gentleman agreement it entered with ASUU on Nov. 27.

    “He was also quoted to have claimed that payment of the public university lecturers’ salaries being withheld would require presidential clearance due to the prevailing “No work, no pay” rule.

    “It is important for Nigerians to note that salaries of lecturers of federal universities, who refused to enrol in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) were stopped in February before they went on strike in March.

    “It should, however, be noted too that IPPIS and salary stoppage were not among the demands of ASUU but was introduced by the government as a distraction,” he noted.

    He called on relevant stakeholders, parents and even students to join ASUU in its bid to ensure a better university and education system in the country, rather than see lecturers as bad eggs.

    Maigoro called on the government to show high of level of sincerity in negotiating with ASUU, insisting that using threats would further aggravate the issue.

  • ASUU denies agreeing with FG to suspend strike, says deliberating on new offer

    ASUU denies agreeing with FG to suspend strike, says deliberating on new offer

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has debunked claims that the union agreed to end its eight-month-old strike on Wednesday.

    Its National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi said rather the union was considering the Federal Government’s offer.

    Ogunyemi said in a statement: “To put the records straight, the Principal Officers and Trustees, who constitute the core of representatives of ASUU at negotiation meetings with the government, are not constitutionally empowered to suspend any strike action.

    “Whatever comes out of an engagement with agents of the government is an offer, which must be taken back to the branches through the various organs of the union.

    “Views and perspectives on offers by governments are aggregated and presented to government agents as counter-offers.

    “This trade union strategy of offer and counter-offer is continually deployed until the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU – consisting of all recognised chairpersons – finally approves what it considers an acceptable offer from the government.

    “It is only then that any strike action by ASUU can be suspended.”

    ASUU said following its meeting with the government’s representatives at the office of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, on November 27, its leadership promised to faithfully present the latest government offer to its members through the established tradition.

    The statement adds: “The latest offer by the government makes proposals on nearly all items of demand by the union with timelines.

    “Among others, the document which was signed by Senator Ngige contains proposals on the inauguration of the reconstituted FGN-ASUU Renegotiation Committee (December 1); release of details about Visitation Panels (December 1); working on the actualisation of the release of the withheld salaries of ASUU members (December 9).

    “Clause 9 on the document reads: ‘Based on these conclusions reached on items 1-8, ASUU’s leadership will consult its organs with a view to suspending the on-going strike’.

    “Therefore, the ASUU leadership did not reach any understanding with the government to suspend the strike on 9th December 2020.

    “There is nothing in the government offer of 27th November 2020 to suggest that conclusion as allegedly claimed by the Minister of Labour and Employment.

    “The leadership of ASUU has consistently stated at every meeting with high ranking government officials that the union’s representatives have no mandate to take a final decision on any strike action by the union.

    “All the leadership does is to present government offers through its organs, and that we have done faithfully in the current situation.”

    Ogunyemi said the strike would be called off only “when the union’s organs affirm that the welfare and wellbeing of ASUU members, as well as the survival of our public universities, are sufficiently guaranteed.”

  • BREAKING: Hope to call off ASUU strike dashed as union postpones meeting with FG indefinitely

    BREAKING: Hope to call off ASUU strike dashed as union postpones meeting with FG indefinitely

    The hope to call off the lingering strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been dashed.

    ASUU has postponed it’s meeting with the federal government indefinitely, President of the union, Prof Abiodun Ogunyemi said on Wednesday.

    The ASUU and the FG were supposed to hold a meeting today to discuss an end to the over 9 months old strike.

    The reason for the postponement according to the ASUU President was because the time frame given to the union to consult its members is too short.

    Recall that the ASUU President had earlier said the government failed to deliver on offers made to the union.

    Ogunyemi blamed the FG for the union’s failure to call off the strike, noting that the lecturers would not return to classes until their salary arrears were paid.

    Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Federal Government expressed optimism that the ASUU would call off the nationwide strike today.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige revealed that ASUU agreed at their last meeting with the government team on November 27 to call off their nine-month-old strike before December 9.

    “The truth of the matter is that a ‘gentleman agreement’ was reached at the last meeting in which ASUU agreed to call off the strike before December 9, 2020, and the minister, in turn, agreed that once the strike is called off, he would get a presidential waiver for ASUU to be paid the remainder of their salaries on or before December 9,” Ngige stated.

    This was contained in a statement from Ngige media office on Tuesday, titled, ‘We have kept our promises to ASUU – FG.’

    Ngige said it was false and discomfiting for ASUU to wrongly inform the public that the government agreed to pay all withheld salaries before it would resume work, stressing that the timelines attached to the various offers made to the union had been complied with.

    The minister stated, “The N40b Earned Academic Allowances have also been processed just as the N30bn revitalisation funds, bringing it to N70bn. Likewise, the visitation panels for the universities have been approved by the President but the panel cannot perform its responsibilities until the shut universities are re-opened.

    “The gazetting is also being rounded off at the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation while the Ministry of Education is ready to inaugurate the various visitation panels.”

    He disclosed that “they were paid for February and March, after which it was extended to April, May and June, months they were on strike on compassionate ground, bringing it to five months.”

    The statement added, “Asking the government to pay these four months before it goes back to work means ASUU is placing itself above the law of the land and no government will encourage it as it is a recipe for chaos in the labour milieu.”