Following the decision and instruction of the NEC of the Union, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma Chapter, went back to class on Monday.
In a statement headed “SUSPENSION OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL STRIKE: WE ARE BACK TO WORK,” Chairperson and Dr. William Odion, respectively, announced the return to work.
Assistant Secretary for the ASUU, AAU, and Ekpoma branch, respectively.
The Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma Chapter of the ASUU Congress convened today, Monday, October 17, 2022, and decided to follow the NEC of our Union’s decision and order to return to work.
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“Consequent upon the foregoing, ASUU AAU, Ekpoma wishes to inform the Edo State Government, the Ambrose Alli University Administration, students, parents/guardians, and the general public that its members have returned to work in accordance with the Union’s directive. “Recall also that at our Congress of Wednesday, October 12, 2022, members resolved to suspend the local strike of February 14, 2022, over the contending issues of salaries, check-off dues, and others
While affirming that its members are back at work, the Union expressed regret that, despite the explicit order of the Edo State Government, the University Administration has not addressed the several labor issues that were the causes of the industrial crisis in the state-owned University.
The Union listed what it referred to as “the nagging concerns” that the Edo State Government and the University Administration need to resolve swiftly in order to bring back long-lasting industrial peace to the University.
They include, among other things, “the crisis of irregular and selective salary payment, ad hoc university administration, academic fraud, restriction of staff rights and freedom of association, and disputed and inconclusive biometrics.”
The Union reaffirmed that the following requests must be met right away in order to bring about long-lasting peace at the University:
*All overdue emoluments (salaries, check-off obligations, and other deductions) owed to University staff members should be paid right away.
The University Administration and the Edo State Government need to go back on the right track by being honest, open-minded, and really committed to finding solutions to the labor challenges.
*Edo State Government should accept a fund for the University’s bailout and appropriately boost the University’s monthly subvention.
*There should be an investigation into and a firm response to the ongoing cases of academic fraud at the university.
*Workers’ freedom and constitutional right to form unions should be respected and safeguarded.
The hiring of workers for the University should follow due process and be transparent.
*To prevent further theft of university funds and poor management of its affairs, the Edo State Government should move quickly to release a white paper on the report of the Special Visitation Panel to the University in October 2020.
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*The University should reestablish a Governing Council in order to facilitate the prompt appointment of substantive principal officers.
*We pray that the university system will quickly return to sanity for the good of all stakeholders as these open issues are quickly resolved.
