By Gabriel Dike
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has ruled out the option of strike to press home its demands for improved working conditions for lecturers.
At its meeting at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), the highest decision making organ of the union endorsed the continuation of protests’ rallies by various branches to sensitise the public on the plights of its members.
Some NEC members told Daily Sun that contrary to the expectations of some that the union would embark on another round of strike to address its grievances with the Federal Government, members resolved to continue with protests’ rallies at zonal levels.
One of the branch chairmen said NEC resolved to constantly engage stakeholders on the poor treatment meted to the union by the Federal Government on its outstanding demands and non-payment of salary arrears owed members.
Ahead of the crucial NEC meeting, the Federal Government had paid the lecturers distorted salaries for November.
The NEC meeting came one month after ASUU members protested against the half salary received in October and non-implementation of their demands.
ASUU called off its eight months strike on October 14 based on the order by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN). The government said the half salary was in application of its no work, no pay policy and vowed not to also pay the outstanding seven months salaries in line with the policy.