Unions suspend strike as new VC resumes

Labour unions in Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), on Saturday announced suspension of their six-week old strike as the new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Ogunduyile assumes duty.

The unions that directed their members to return to work are: the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unions conveyed the suspension of the strike in a communiqué jointly signed by their leaders after a Joint Action Congress (JAC) meeting.

The communiqué was signed by Peter Akindehinde for NASU, Temola Temisan for SSANU and Bobola Bamigbola for NAAT. In the communiqué, the unions directed all staff of the institution to resume duties on Monday.

“Sequel to the strike embarked upon by the unions on January 25 to press home our demands, we hereby suspend the strike as staff and students are directed to resume on Monday.

“This is because some of our demands were met and to honour the new governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and the new VC, Prof. Ogunduyile” the communiqué stated.

The unions began an indefinite strike to press for the resignation of the former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adegoke Adegbite. The unions also demanded adequate funding, urgent facelift of the institution and appointment of a substantive vice chancellor. Gov. Olusegun Mimiko appointed a substantive vice chancellor before leaving office on Feb. 24.