ASUU refuses to suspend strike after meeting with house of reps

The leadership of the house of representatives met with some ministers and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the dispute between the two parties on Thursday.

Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house, and other principal officers are hosted the meeting, following the decision of the lawmakers to intervene in the disagreement that caused ASUU to embark on strike.

Present at the session at the National Assembly complex in Abuja were Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, minister of state for education; Festus Keyamo, minister of state for labour and employment; and Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU chairman.

Also present was Ekpo Nta, chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission among other stakeholders.

ASUU had announced the action, on Monday, saying it is meant to compel the federal government to implement its 2019 agreement and resolution with the union.

The union also said its demand includes the implementation of the 2013 and 2017 memoranda of understanding (MOU) that are yet to be implemented.

The union has also been at loggerheads with the government over the directive to members of ASUU to enroll into the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS) which the government made compulsory for all civil servants.

The government had declared the strike illegal, saying ASUU cannot dictate to its employers.

At the meeting, ASUU refused to suspend its two-week strike.

Gbajabiamila had pleaded with the ASUU leadership to suspend the strike while talks to settle their dispute with the federal government continue.

But Ogunyemi told the speaker the request is putting him on the spot, and that he cannot take any action without consulting the union.

He said the union’s leadership will table the request before its national executive council, and give the speaker feedback on its decision “early next week”.