Fresh details of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has emerged.
Naija News earlier reported that the union concluded its meeting held in the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday morning following the half October salaries paid to members of ASUU by the Federal Government.
Justifying the payment, the government said that the lecturers were paid based on the number of days they worked in the stated month.
In a statement released after the NEC meeting on Tuesday afternoon, ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke said union deliberated on developments since the suspension of the strike at the NEC meeting.
The ASUU President said University lecturers are not casual workers that would be paid as they work and should not be treated as such.
He said the payment of ASUU members on ‘pro-rata’ basis is an aberration and unprecedented in the history of university oriented labour relations.
Osodeke, therefore, asserted that the union condemned the attempt by the government to reduce Nigerian scholars to casual workers in its entirety.
The statement 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.
“We commend our members for their perseverance and urged students and their parents to be understanding while the union pursue a resolution within the ambit of the law.”
