The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its ongoing two-week warning strike.
ASUU National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the suspension during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, following a marathon National Executive Council (NEC) meeting that reportedly lasted through the night and concluded around 4 a.m.
Prof. Piwuna explained that the decision to suspend the strike came after “useful engagements” with representatives of the federal government over the union’s long-standing demands.
“We’ve had useful engagements with representatives of the government to consider the response to the draft renegotiation of the 2009 agreements.
“However, we are definitely not where we were before the commencement of the strike,” Prof. Piwuna said.
He added that the government had returned to the negotiation table, and while acknowledging that more progress is needed, the NEC decided to review the strike action.
“The decision to review the strike action was a result of efforts by our students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
“Consequently, NEC resolved to suspend the warning strike to reciprocate the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians,” he stated.
ASUU had on Monday, October 13, declared a total and comprehensive two-week warning strike, citing the government’s failure to meet its demands within the agreed timeline.
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The union’s demands include, the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN–ASUU agreement, payment of withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding and revitalisation of public universities, end to alleged victimisation of members at Lagos State University (LASU), Prince Abubakar Audu University, and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
Others are the payment of the outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, settlement of over four years of promotion arrears, release of withheld third-party deductions, including cooperative contributions and union check-off dues.
