Impending Strike Action Looms At LASU Over. School Fees Hike And Promotion Of Staff

Barely, two weeks after the suspension of about six months strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, strong indications emerged on Monday that academic staff of Lagos State University may embark on another local strike over a 10-point demands.

The demand made known to journalists at a press conference by Academic Staff Union of Universities, LASU chapter, Dr. Adekunle Idris 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 union 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."

According to Idris, 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.

He could not ascertain the level of achievement of the demands, saying there was no documentary evidence of the meeting held on November 29, with the Lagos ad-hoc committee.

The ASUU chief noted that the union's had in its last congress meeting in August 7, agreed to embark on a local industrial strike if dialogue failed.

While reading the congress decisions, he said, "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,"

However, since the time ASUU was on a national strike, LASU's Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and Non Academic Staff Union of Universities have been on strike at different times.

While NASU-LASU commenced its strike action on September 29 and suspended it on December 3; SSANU-LASU strike, which started on September 30 is still on.

Source: Punch Newspapers