the Academic Staff Union of Universities
(ASUU) to suspend its ongoing strike in the
universities in the interest of the nation.
Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and
Employment made the appeal in a
statement signed by Mr Samuel
Olowookere, Deputy Director, Press, in the
Ministry, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities
(ASUU) had on Monday declared an
indefinite strike over Federal Government
failure to keep to the 2009 agreement.
According to Ngige, there is an ongoing
renegotiation of the 2009 agreement
between the Federal Government and
ASUU by the Babalakin Committee.
“The Federal Government has set up the
Babalakin Committee on 13th Feb. 2017,
which is already addressing the issues
raised by ASUU.
“Though the Federal Government did not
wish to apportion blame, it is important
to note that ASUU did not follow due
process in the declaration of the industrial
action.
“As it did not give the Federal
Government, the mandatory 15 days’
notice as contained in the Section 41 of
Trade Disputes Act, Cap T8, 2004.
“In fact, it was on 14th Aug., 2017 that
the Office of the Minister received a letter
dated 13th Aug. 2017 from ASUU, that is,
one full day after it commenced the
strike,” he said.
He, however, noted that the letter was to
inform the Federal Government that ASUU
has commenced strike, adding that this is
not a declaration of intention to go on
strike as contained in the Trade Dispute
Act, 2004.
He further said that since the case was
being conciliated, it was against the spirit
of Social Dialogue and Collective
Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for ASUU to
embark on strike as enunciated in the
International Labour Organisation (ILO)
Convention.
“The Federal Government therefore wishes
to appeal to ASUU to consider students
who are currently writing degree and
promotion examinations. Please call off
the strike and return to the negotiation
table.’’
The minister added that the Ministry of
Labour and Employment would ensure that
a time frame is tied to negotiation this
time around.
Ngige added that the Babalakin Committee
was ever ready to continue the
negotiation.
He also noted that the necessary
ingredients for fruitful social dialogue as
well as adequate powers to negotiate and
make recommendations to the Federal
Government had been put in place.
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