Edo varsity suspends 66-day old strike

The Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday, suspended its 66-day old strike.

The lecturers had downed tools over unpaid salaries running into months and more than one year unremitted check-off dues and other sundry deductions.

The union began the industrial action on March 25 this year to press for payment of the unsettled emoluments.The chapter’s ASUU, in a statement in Benin City, said the suspension followed a Memorandum of Action (MoA) between the management and the union after several engagements.

At its meeting of Monday, May 31, 2021, where the MoA was received and discussed, congress accepted the document and subsequently suspended the strike immediately.

Consequently, the union directed its members to return to work without further delay.

In the release, signed by the Chairperson and Secretary, Dr. Monday Igbafen and Dr. Anthony Coker-Aizebioje, the union gave a breakdown of the MoA to include government meeting its obligation of paying the first tranche of the outstanding emoluments to staff within the week.

The first tranche constitutes a minimum of two months full (gross) salaries (January and February, 2021) and two months of outstanding check-off dues and other sundry deductions (April and May, 2020).