Half Salary: ASUU ends NEC meeting, decides on another strike

ASUU ends NEC meeting, decides on the next line of action.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has ended its Natural Executive Committee, NEC meeting yesterday. ASUU ends NEC meeting with a resolution not to go for another strike. This meeting was as a result of half salaries paid to it members by the Federal government.

However, the union, according to multiple sources has decided to wait for the outcome of the intervention of Femi Gbajabiamila.

The Speaker of the House of Representative, Femi is currently soliciting for ASUU.

“It was gathered that some members had pushed for declaration of total and comprehensive strike across public universities. However majority kicked against the action, saying it was no longer fashionable under the present circumstance.

“Those against the strike argued that it would be wrong to embark on the action again. This will compel students who had already returned to their various schools, following earlier suspension of the action, to return home.

“Some members had suggested that the suspension of the strike was at the speaker’s instance, following his meeting with Buhari.  And that it would be wrong to resume action when he (speaker) was still pushing to have the FG rescind its decisions on no-work,no-pay policy.

“Embarking on another round of strike was not considered an option in resolving the current issues with the FG at the meeting.”

“Asked what really transpired at the meeting, he said: “You would hear the rest through the appropriate channel.

“As a body, we have people that speak for us. You will hear from them on what really happened.”

ASUU ends NEC meeting: FG defends half salary payment

FG had over the weekend, defended the pro-rata payment to ASUU members in October, saying they could not be paid for work not done.

“They were paid in pro-rata to the number of days that they worked in October. Pro-rata was done because you cannot pay them for work not done. Everybody’s hands are tied,” he said.

ASUU ends NEC meeting: No work, no pay is legal

Also, Femi Gbajabiamila, had on Monday, said the green chamber was making arrangements for a N170 billion fund for ASUU in the 2023 budget.

“We are currently working on the 2023 Appropriations Bill, which includes N170billion. This will help provide a level of increment in the welfare package of university lecturers.

“The Bill also includes an additional N300 billion in revitalization funds to improve the infrastructure and operations of federal universities.

‘The ‘no work no pay’ policy embarked on by the FG during the period of strike is premised on the law.

He said the decision was based on the government’s legitimate interest in preventing moral hazard and discouraging disruptive industrial actions.

“Nonetheless, interventions have been made to explore the possibility of partial payments to the lecturers. We look forward to a favourable consideration by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, who has manifested his desire to what is prudent and necessary to resolve all outstanding issues.

“Implementing meaningful change takes time, especially when appropriations and modifications to systems such as IPPIS are required.

“Therefore, I urge all parties to be patient and grant each other the presumption of goodwill to the extent necessary to achieve our shared objectives. This is not a time for political brinkmanship,” he said.