Breaking: Anxiety as ASUU plans indefinite strike

Barring a last-minute change, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will declare an indefinite strike over Federal Government’s failure to meet its demands.

The Nation gathered yesterday that most of the over 123 branches of the union have completed their congresses. Others are expected to round off theirs today.

A proposal for the indefinite strike would be ratified and adopted at the ASUU National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Sunday, according to an ASUU leader who wished to remain unnamed.

No branch, including the University of Abuja, voted for anything other than an ongoing strike, the speaker claimed.

“Tomorrow (today), all ASUU branches are anticipated to complete their congresses and submit their reports to the NEC.

The NEC will need to convene, evaluate all of the branches’ decisions, and make a decision.

The union had announced a one-month warning strike on February 14, which quickly turned into a full-fledged work boycott.

An end to the proliferation of state universities, renegotiation of a 2009 agreement, adoption of University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a payment platform for university teachers, and payment of non-remitted check-off dues are some of the union’s demands. Other demands include the provision of funds for the revitalization of public universities, payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA)/Earned Allowances (EA), payment of salary shortfalls,

The parties’ negotiations are being stalled by ASUU’s demand on paying the salaries that have been withheld, according to comments made by Minister of Education Adamu Adamu last week.