Abioye Ayomide writes from LAUTECH
Lectures will resume in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, next Monday, October 23, 2017.
Following the decision of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at its congress held on Tuesday, LAUTECH has decided to suspend its prolonged strike. Chairman, ASUU LAUTECH, Dr Biodun Olanira, confirmed this development to Nigerian Tribune, but called the suspension conditional, adding that the union also awaited the approval of its decision by ASUU President.
The suspension of the strike is connected with the release of three-month salary to the institution’s staff by the management. The financial burden of the institution was cushioned by the release of varying sums of money by the owner state governments of Oyo and Osun.
ASUU had commenced the just suspended strike, in a series of other industrial actions, on June 2, 2017, owing to an accumulated outstanding salaries and arrears running to seven and a half months.
In a statement signed by the union’s Chairman, Dr Biodun Olaniran and Secretary, Dr Toyin Abegunrin confirming the development reads: “This is to inform LAUTECH community and the general public that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) LAUTECH branch at its congress of Tuesday 17th October, 2017, reviewed the on-going strike action and has decided to conditionally suspend the action in the interest of our students, the intervention of well-meaning individuals and general public.”
“We also take into cognizance, the efforts of the Governing Council towards an amicable resolution of the crisis. Our Union wishes to give the Governing Council and the Administration the opportunity to explore their good will in seeing to a permanent resolution of issues in contention.”
“The strike is therefore suspended in principle with immediate effect but full academic activities resume on Monday 23rd October, 2017.”
Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee, comprising SSANU, NAAT and NASU is expected to convene its congress before end of the week to decide whether to continue or end its own strike action.
Abioye Ayomide
