Two weeks after ASUU, Lagos State university threatens strike action

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)

Monday threatened to embark on another local

strike over a 10-point demands by the

institution.

Two weeks after the suspension of about six

months strike by the national body of ASUU,

LASU union say until their demands are met

strike action is imminent.

At a press conference by Academic Staff Union

of Universities, LASU chapter, Dr. Adekunle Idris

said the demands are implementation of the

universities Act 2012 (in LASU); downward

review of the universities school fees; abolition

of “no vacancy, no promotion” policy;

regularisation of appointment exercise for

members on temporary appointment; full

payment of 17-month salary arrears.

Others include restructuring of courses in LASU

to follow the submissions of faculties;

immediate payment of Accrued Earned

Allowances; provision of suitable and befitting

university environment at all times, including

restoration of internet facilities; stoppage of the

purported outstanding PAYE tax liabilities

planned to be deducted from staff members’

arrears of salaries; review of the deadline for the

acquisition of PhD degree.

The leader said paying between N197,000 and

N350,000 by students was against LASU Law

2004.

Part of the law read that the university was

established to “provide access for citizens of

Lagos State to higher education regardless of

social status or income.”

“The union had held several meetings with top

management officers of the university including

the Chancellor, Dr. Molade Okoya-Thomas,

board of trustees of LASU Alumni and Ad-hoc

committee of the Lagos State Executive Council

on the demands.”

“The congress mandates the ASUU-LASU

executive committee to continue to explore

possible avenues and platforms to sustain the

dialogue aimed at resolving all contending local

issues. The committee is mandated to inform

ASUU national of developments in LASU

including the possibility of declaring an industrial

action in LASU, in case the dialogue being

undertaken fails.

“Where the dialogue fails, ASUU-LASU executive

committee is mandated to put in motion the due

process for commencement of a local industrial

action in LASU. Early January 2014, congress

will reconvene to review what has been achieved

out of our demands and take decisions on the

next lines if action with respect to those yet to

be achieved.”

He appealed to Lagos State Government, LASU

governing council and management to “look into

the burning issues in LASU comprehensively now

and forestall the looming crisis in the university,”