‘It’s too late’ – ASUU on Nigerian Govt’s appeal to shelve strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, says the appeal of the Federal Government asking the union to suspend its proposed warning strike came a little too late.

The union blamed the government for its slow response to the demands, lamenting that it waited until just two working days before the strike to make the appeal.

ASUU President Chris Piwuna said this on Thursday while responding to questions on ‘The Morning Brief’, a programme on Channels Television.

“The problem we have with this government and this Ministry of Education is that they are slow in responding to our demands

“We went for a meeting in Sokoto, and at that time we were about to embark on a strike action. They gave us three weeks, we accepted the three weeks, but we never heard a word from them until the three weeks elapsed — not a word from them, courtesy to even say, ‘Oh gentlemen, we think we are running short, three weeks is around the corner, we are unable to meet with you on so-and-so date.’ Nothing, until we threatened action.

“Yesterday, they appealed to us not to embark on action. Our 2009 agreement — which is still being renegotiated after eight years — remains undone.

“We have not concluded on it, and two working days before a strike action, you come to appeal to us. I think the appeal has come a little too late,” he said.