There are exceptionally solid signs that the lecturers of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are “warming up” for another round of mechanical activity as the commencement to the due date for the execution of assertions came to with the national government – which prompted the contingent suspension of its uncertain strike activity in September – moves close.
In September, the national government had consented to an arrangement with the administration of the union, because of the strike activity left upon by the union to press the usage of the notice of understanding went into between the two gatherings in 2013 and in addition the 2009 assertion.
Amid the consenting to of the arrangement, a course of events of October 2017 was come to between the two gatherings for the execution of a few parts of the understanding, particularly the instalment of a setback in compensations and Earned Academic Allowances.
In any case, with not as much as seven days to the finish of the October course of events, a few speakers have revealed to The Nation that the legislature has not actualized any part of the understanding, notwithstanding when they guaranteed amid arrangement that usage has started.
A lecturer said: “The government has not done anything. We have not heard from them and it is just one week to the end of the October deadline. I can assure you that we are warming up and there is the possibility that from November 1, we will resume the suspended action.”
“They (government) told our leaders during negotiations that they have prepared everything for the implementation. They were even brandishing some papers, especially on the earned Academic Allowance. But we have not seen anything nor heard from them.”
“They were also supposed to carry our verification because of those who employed workers without permission so that the issue of shortfall in salary can be addressed. Many of us have been verified, but nothing has happened. We have not been paid. They should not take us die a ride because when we resume the suspension action not are not going to listen to any discussion.”
On his part, ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, refused to divulge whether or not the union will call out its members at the end of October if they are not satisfied with the level of implementation of the agreement.
He told the news outlet that: “We are engaging them and we are making some few progress and we hope they will keep their promise. Otherwise, our members are ready to activate their action. We are still in October, but we are on our guard.
“We believe they will follow the process through and implement it fully. That is why we still engage them and we are talking. We are working with them and we hope they will continue to cooperate.”
Asked whether they will embark on any Industrial action at the end of October, he said:
“I cannot say whether there will be any action at the end of October or not. It is what our members say that we shall do. I hope I am very clear? Our members shall determine what we shall do at the end of the deadline based on the level, of implementation”.
