The lecturers of the Lagos State University, LASU, on Tuesday declared a”’ total, comprehensive and indefinite strike’’.
Addressing journalists in Lagos, the Chairman of the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Adekunle Idris, said the congress had unanimously agreed to commence the strike due to the failure of the management to meet its demands.
“The congress, after exhaustive deliberation, concluded that core issues that are germane to survival of the University and career of our members have been neglected by the authorities,” Mr. Idris said.
He said that the chapter was also authorised to embark on the strike by ASUU National Executive Council at its meeting held at the University of Ibadan from May 14 to May 15.
“We are using this opportunity to inform the academic community and the good people of Lagos State.
“We declare that as from Tuesday, May 20, we, the academic staff of LASU, are withdrawing our services to embark on a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike.
“It is a sad decision we are compelled to take and have taken it with every sense of responsibility,” Mr. Idris said.
He said that the three core demands of the union yet to be met include the reversal of the high LASU tuition fee and repeal of the “No Vacancy, No Promotion’’ policy.
According to him, the implementation of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions Amendment) Act 2012, already operational in other universities, is also still pending.
He said that the union had maximised all avenues to dialogue with the management and the opinion leaders in a bid to avert the strike but they did not yield results.
“ASUU-LASU had used every opportunity to persuade the appropriate authorities to consider all our concerns in good time.
“Regrettably, the union had no choice but to declare a trade dispute and at several times met the management, governing council and chancellor, but the issues remained unresolved.
“We are at loss as to why the authorities have refused to frontally address these issues for over one year.
“Our goals are noble and so we intend to pursue them to a logical conclusion,” Mr. Idris said.
The ASUU-LASU had on March 24 issued the management a 21- day ultimatum to meet its demands.
This was followed by another 14-day ultimatum effective April 15, while another seven-day ultimatum was issued on May 1.
The union gave a final three-day ultimatum on May 12, which expired May 14.
Reacting to the development, the Public Relations Officer of LASU, Kayode Sutton, said that the University management had not received an official letter from the union on its strike.
“Officially, the management has not been communicated about the strike declaration by ASUU; we await a letter to that effect,” Mr. Sutton said.
He said that out of the initial 21 demands by ASUU-LASU, there were only three demands that had not been met by the authorities.
(NAN)
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