Finally, LASU Lecturers, COEASU Call off Strike

                                                             LASU  Campus

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the Lagos State University (LASU) has finally called off a six-week-old strike, which it embarked on since May 20.

This came as the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) also suspended its nine-month-old strike in principle, following the intervention by the Chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Colleges of Education and assurances that the outstanding issues would be resolved.

LASU’s lecturers’ decision to call off the strike was contained in a letter to the institution’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of its Governing Council, Mr. Olabode Agusto, yesterday.

Copies of the letter were sent to the institution’s governor and visitor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye and her establishment counterpart, Mrs. Florence Oguntuase, among others.

The letter, which was signed by the institution’s ASUU Chairman, Dr. Kunle Idris, said the chapter’s congress reviewed the strike it embarked upon on May 20 and decided to suspend it.

After the congress deliberated on a letter the institution’s governing council sent to it last Friday, the lecturers said the congress agreed to suspend the strike in the interest of all.

The letter read in part: “The congress of ASUU LASU met on July 14, and reviewed the strike action it embarked upon on May 20. After exhaustive deliberation on the council’s letter ref: LASU/PRO-CHAN/ASUU/31, dated July 11, the congress took some decisions.

“The congress suspended the strike action but resolved that discussions on the outstanding issues identified by members should be continued by the executive members.

The congress said the letters and spirit of the resolutions reached by the university, its appointments and promotions committee and the governing council shall hold.

“This letter, therefore, serves to notify the governing council and the university administration that the academic staff of LASU has, effective from July 14, resumed the teaching aspect of their duties.”

Before the suspension of the strike, ASUU had met with the management of the school on July 2 and certain resolutions were reached.

The parties at the meeting agreed that in the area of promotion, it is an ongoing exercise, and any academic staff meriting promotion shall be so promoted, following established procedures;

The meeting noted that some of the outstanding promotion cases had earlier been taken and that all other outstanding cases of promotion should be forwarded to the University Appointments and Promotions (Academic) Committee according to established procedures.

Meanwhile, the suspension of COEASU’s strike would however be upheld following tomorrow’s meeting with the Minister of Education, Alhaji (Ibrahim Shekaru) with officials of the union.

The Chairman of the Committee of Council Chairmen of the Federal COEs, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, reading from the resolutions reached at the end of a five hour meeting in Abuja Tuesday noted that the union agreed that the government had met a reasonable number of its demands.

“The union has agreed to suspend its strike in principle subject to the following: that there would be no victimisation of its members and salaries with held would be paid,” he said.

The resolutions also noted that the circular for the migration of lower cadre staff in the COEs would be released immediately, while a technical committee would be set up to look into the resolution of other matters.

THISDAY, following talks with Anosike and the President of COEASU, Asagha Okoro, had exclusively reported last week that the strike would be suspended yesterday.

The meeting was convened at the instance of the Chairmen of Governing Councils of COEs, and the Committee of Provosts, to brainstorm on the way forward to ensure the strike is called off this week.

It had in attendance the officials of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), COEASU and NASU executive members.

The National Chairman of COEASU, Mr. Okoro Asagha, while addressing the meeting, said the union was concerned that its members resume work with motivation.

“We should not go on strike before we get things done. Issues such as needs assessment, and migration of staff for which a presidential circular already exists, should be taken care of before any union goes on strike,” he said.

“Once we tie all these loose ends...we will just dot the ‘I’s and cross the ‘t’s. This is the determinant week, I am sure we would all go home smiling,” he said.