ASUU to challenge half salary in court, rejects casual workers treatment

The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Tuesday condemned the Federal Government’s approach of paying the academics on pro-rata basis, only for the days they work.

It said the approach was unprecedented in the history of university-oriented labour relations and an attempt to reduce Nigerian scholars to casual workers.

It hinted of plans to challenge in court the payment of half salary to the lecturers by the the Federal Government for the month of October.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday as part of the outcomes of the union’s national executive council meeting held in Abuja on Monday.

The statement read in part, “The Academic Staff Union of Universities 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 the 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 held on Monday, 7th November, 2022, the union deliberated on developments since the suspension of the strike.

“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.”