CEM REPORT, EDUCATION | The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said it is considering challenging the Federal Government in court over the half payment to its members.
The union says “so-called ‘pro-rata’ payment for 18 days as the October 2022 salaries of academics” paid by the government is not only an aberration but a contravention of all known rules of engagement in any contract of employment for academics the world over.
Speaking after a National Executive Council meeting held yesterday into the early hours of Tuesday, the President of the union, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, stated that members of the union are not casual workers but intellectuals who cannot be paid on pro-rata basis.
He added that the action of the federal government betrays the trust the union had in the government to suspend the strike.
He however did not state if the union will embark on another strike
The communique reads;
“The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) suspended its eight-month strike on 14th October 2022, in obedience to the order of the National Industrial Court and in further consideration of intervention efforts of well-meaning Nigerians, including the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
“The action of the Union was a display of manifest trust in the judiciary and other institutions and organs of government to always put national interest above all other considerations.
“This we believe, as a union of thinkers, intellectuals, and patriots, will not only aid the process of amicable resolution of the crisis but will also set the tone for smooth industrial relations between Government and Nigerian workers at large.
“Unfortunately, the response of government towards ASUU’s demonstration of trust was the so-called ‘pro-rata’ payment for eighteen days as the October 2022 salaries of academics thereby portraying them as daily paid workers!
“This is not only an aberration but a contravention of all known rules of engagement in any contract of employment for academics the world over.
“At an emergency meeting of the ASUU’s National Executive Committee (NEC), held on Monday, 7 November 2022, the Union deliberated on developments since the suspension of the strike. NEC noted with dismay that paying academics on “pro-rata” basis, like casual workers, is unprecedented in the history of university oriented labour relations and therefore condemned this attempt to reduce Nigerian scholars to casual workers in its entirety.
“NEC commends the membership of ASUU for their perseverance in the face of untold hardship and unwarranted provocation by some notorious agents of the ruling class.
“NEC further appeals for the understanding of Nigerian students, parents and other genuinely concerned individuals and groups while the Union continues to pursue positive resolution of this avoidable crisis within the ambit of legality without compromising the interests and welfare of Nigerian intellectuals.”
