ASUU gives FG Tuesday ultimatum for fresh strike

Another industrial action looms at the nation’s higher institutions as the Academic Staff Union of Universities has threatened to commence a fresh strike if the Federal Government fails to fulfil its agreement with the union the end of this month, Tuesday August 31.

The union last year embarked on a nearly 10-month strike — which it later suspended — over the non-implementation of its demands by the federal government.

ASUU, however, cited the government’s failure to implement the agreement it signed with the union as a reason for the fresh strike.

In August, representatives of ASUU had met with that of the FG led by Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, to discuss ways to resolve the planned industrial action.

The PUNCH on Monday quoted ASUU’s President, Emmanuel Osodeke, as saying the FG had stopped engaging with the union on an agreement both parties reached in May.

Osodeke also said it had made several calls to the government, without any response.

The ASUU president said the union would not hesitate to activate procedures for the commencement of another strike if the government failed to contact the union by Tuesday.

He said,  “The government has refused to reach out to us. Government officials have stopped. In fact, they don’t take our calls again. Nigerians should tell the government to do what they agreed to do,” he said.

“We signed an agreement and even in May, we reached a final agreement; this is August and nothing has been implemented. Does it make any sense? We are giving them till the end of August and after that, we start the procedures.”