ASUU directs members to resume work from 12.01 Friday

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed its members to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with effect from 12:01 on Friday.

The ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, President said this in a statement issued at the end of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) emergency meeting on Friday in Abuja.

Osodeke said the meeting was called to review the developments since the union declared an indefinite strike action on Aug. 29.

He also said that for the avoidance of doubt, the issues include funding for revitalisation of public universities, earned academic allowances, the proliferation of public Universities, and visitation panels/release of white papers.

He added that others are the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a broad spectrum software to stop illegality and provide for an alternative payment platform in the university system and renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement.

According to the ASUU president, NEC noted with regret that the issues in dispute are yet to be satisfactorily addressed.

“However, as a law-abiding union and in deference to appeals by Mr President and in recognition of the efforts of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, and other well-meaning Nigerians.

“ASUU NEC resolved to suspend the strike action embarked upon on Feb. 14.

“Consequently, all members of ASUU are hereby directed to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with effect from 12:01 on Friday, Oct. 14, ‘’he said.

Osodeke however, noted that during the intervening period, the Minister of Labour and Employment, through a referral, approached the National Industrial Court (NIC).

According to him, for the interpretation of “the provision of sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 18 (1) of the Trade Dispute Act, Cap T8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

“Whether the ongoing prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities which started on Feb. 14 is legal even after statutory apprehension by the Minister of Labour and Employment?

“In addition, he asked for an interlocutory order against the continuation of the strike,’’ he added.

He said the National Industrial Court in its wisdom gave an order compelling ASUU to resume work pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Osodeke added that, given the nature of the order, and in the opinion of our counsel, there was the need to appeal the interlocutory injunction granted against our Union at the Court of Appeal.

He said the Court of Appeal acknowledged the validity of the grounds of the Union’s appeal but still upheld the order of the lower court.

“It ordered our union to comply with the ruling of the lower court as a condition precedent for the appeal to be heard, ‘’he said.

NAN reports that ASUU embarked on the rollover strike on Feb.14 over the failure of the Federal Government to meet the demands of the union.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, after what he described as “failed negotiations”, dragged the striking lecturers to the National Industrial Court.

The National Industrial Court had on Sep. 21 ordered ASUU to call off the strike.

The court granted the motion on notice filed by the Federal Government directing the lecturers to return to classrooms.

Ruling on the interlocutory injunction, the trial judge, Polycarp Hamman, restrained ASUU from continuing with the industrial action.

However, ASUU through its lead counsel, Mr Femi Falana appealed the case at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.

The court on Oct. 7, ordered the Union to go back to the classroom within seven days.