LASU’s staff begin indefinite strike over ‘pay disparity’

The staff of Lagos State University (LASU) under the aegis of the joint action committee of academic and non-academic unions have declared an indefinite strike.

NAN reports that the staff are embarking on a strike over salary disparities between LASU and other universities in the state.

The unions’ other demands include payment of a 20 percent salary increase as promised by the governor during his election campaign and payment of the 20 percent and 35 percent agreement reached between the federal government and university workers.

The unions involved include the LASU chapters of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

Obafemi Sanni, the chairman of the NASU-LASU, said the genesis of the industrial action was the promised 20 percent salary increase made by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, during his electioneering campaign.

Obafemi said after the election, the governor only paid the civil servants at the government secretariat, neglecting the staff of the tertiary institutions.

“They used us, and in spite of our active contributions and efforts we made during the election, they have not fulfilled their promise,” he said.

“There is also disparity in payment of salaries between LASU and the other two state-owned tertiary institutions.

“Even before Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) and Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) transmuted to universities, their staff were earning more than LASU staff.”

Obafemi added that when the administration came on board as new leaders, the unions wrote to the state government to look into the disparities.

“Also, the 20 percent and 35 percent agreement reached between the federal government and university workers.

“We set up a committee to look into it and sent all our requests to the government to harmonise salaries of all the academic institutions in the state.

“We had several meetings with the Lagos state ministry of tertiary education and the ministry of establishment and training.

“Also, the LASU management tried to step into the matter. The vice-chancellor has pleaded severally, but we cannot continue to sacrifice the welfare of our union members.”

Ibrahim Bakare, chairman of ASUU-LASU, said the unions are more interested in peace, adding that the action is an agitation for staff welfare.

Bakare said all unions in the institution decided to come together and collaborate to get to where they were today.

“We are being civil and not disrespecting the Senate of the university. We will remain calm for the government to address our demands and call us for a meeting,” he said.