.NEC meeting underway in Abuja
By Gabriel Dike
Several branches of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have voted overwhelmingly for members in both federal and state universities to embark on an indefinite strike to press home the implementation of their demands.
ASUU branches nationwide on Friday held a referendum in line with an earlier directive by the National Executive Council (NEC) to vote whether the strike will be indefinite strike, one month strike, one week warning and no strike.
The meeting of ASUU NEC is currently ongoing at the union’s secretariat at Abuja to deliberate on the outcome of the referendum conducted by the branches.
Feelers from the NEC meeting indicate that several of the branches including the University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Ibadan (UI) and Lagos State University (LASU) voted for an indefinite industrial action.
One of ASUU Zonal Coordinators told our Correspondent that his zone voted overwhelmingly for strike and that the outcome of the referendum conducted on Friday will be collated to enable the union take a position.
Among issues in contention includes, federal government breach of the 2009 FG/ASUU Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed agreement on financing grant to state universities, conditions of service, non implementation of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) and re -negotiation of the agreement.
Other outstanding issues are non provision of revitalization funds to public universities, non release of NUPEMCO operational licence, payment of half salaries to members and government owing universities outstanding N880 billion in intervention fund.
The ASUU NEC meeting will end early Sunday morning and the National President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi is expected to address the press on the outcome of the crucial meeting.