*Says FG waivers not for ASUU alone
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The University of Ibadan Chairman of the Non Academic Staff Union of Universities, (NASU), Comrade Femi Ogunlade yesterday, declared that the ongoing seven days warning strike embarked upon by the union is legal, in line with labour laws and labour rules.
Featuring on Fresh FM, Ibadan live interview programme, the NASU Chairman insisted that the Federal Government waivers on the withheld salaries was for all the unions in the universities and not ASUU alone
He pointed out that the striking unions, NASU and the SSANU followed all the laid down labour rules on industrial action, saying” our strike is legal, we followed labour laws and labour rules”.
According to Comrade Ogunlade the striking unions before commencing on the warning strike gave government ultimatum,sent letters, with their leaders at the National level engaging those in charge in several meetings before embarking on the warning strike.
He emphasised that the union may have no other option than to embark on total strike after the on going 7 days strike if the Federal Government failed to pay them the withheld salaries
The NASU Chairman stressed that on the FG waivers on the withheld salaries, it was unfortunate that the waivers was only been mis interpreted to mean that it is for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) members alone, adding that it was wrong for those in charge of the payment of the withheld salaries to be implementing the waivers for ASUU alone leaving other unions in the Universities unattended to.
Comrade Ogunlade maintained that the time has come for those in charge of the payment of the withheld salaries to comply with the order of President Bola Tinubu and effect payment of the withheld salaries to other unions in the Universities as done for ASUU members
” Let me say it clearly here that the Federal Government gives the waivers on the withheld salaries to all the unions in the Universities not to the ASUU alone. It should be implemented as such”, he said.
The NASU Chairman added, ” It should be noted that ASUU is not the only union in the Nigeria Universities. Other unions too should be paid their withheld salaries “.
” We want them to know we are relevant, the Federal Government waiver is for all the unions in the Universities. It is not for ASUU alone. Paying only ASUU members is a slap on our face”.
