The Calabar zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU has called on the public to hold the government responsible for a fresh industrial action by the union.
The union made this known in a release signed by its Zonal Chairperson Comrade Happiness Uduak and other branch chairpersons within the zone.
The union regretted that nothing tangible has been achieved in its engagements with the federal government as government’s agents were more concerned with receiving allowances for convening such meetings from tax-payers money and the funds that our Government claims it does not have.
The union said issues in contention with the government particularly contents of several Memoranda of Understanding and Action between 2013 and 2022 have particularly hampered access to wholesome industrial harmony in public Universities are unresolved.
The union insisted that “It is obvious this government is not interested in resolving lingering issues with our Union.
“That is why like previous governments, its engagements with us are characterized by bottlenecks of bureaucracy, time-buying, documentation denial, lack of budgetary provisions rather compounding and complicating the already unpleasant relationship.
“Even when budgetary allocations were made in the 2023 budget for EAA and revitalization, our members are yet to have their payments.
“Please, note that we will not fold our arms while the government plays games with the welfare of our already battered members in both Federal and State-owned Universities,” ASUU said.
The union resolved to give the government 14 days ultimatum beginning from Monday, 23rd September, 2024 within which all issues must have been totally addressed.
They also threatened to withdraw services, saying they should not be held responsible for breakdown in industrial harmony which will arise as a result of the government’s insensitivity, insincerity, indifference and time-buying tactics.
