Lecturers at the Ondo State-owned Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, (OAUSTECH) in Okitipupa, have begun an indefinite strike action to demand some pressing issues from the university authority.
The protesting lecturers under the auspices of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) began the strike at the weekend after their congress held at TETFUND Building, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources of the state-owned university.
In a statement issued by the Chairman of ASUU, Dr. Dipo Akomolafe, and Secretary, Dr. Rotimi Olorunsola, the lecturers said the industrial action became necessary since the school authority had failed to fulfill its agreement to resolve all the fractions on their salaries and subvention to the school by the government.
It read, “The congress considered and deliberated extensively on the two agreements reached with the University Administration, various meetings held with the University Administration and the University Governing Council.
“The congress further deliberated on the reduction of the monthly subvention by government for over three years, fractionalisation of monthly subvention release and the inability of the university to generate additional income outside the students’ fees.
“The Congress viewed the posture of the University Administration to the irregularity and fractionalisation of salary payment as not justifiable and convincing enough.
“Congress summed this attitude to be insensitive, provocative and a deliberate act to subject staff of the university to untold hardship.
“The Congress considered the total breach of the two agreements reached with the Union by the University Management as deceitful and untrustworthy in the University Administration’s dealings with the Union,” the statement added.
The Union, therefore, resolved that since the industrial action has been approved by the National Executive Committee of ASUU, an immediate, total, indefinite and comprehensive strike action with effect from 2nd August 2021 is inevitable.
“The Action will not be suspended until all subsisting issues between the University Administration and Union are fully addressed.
“The issues are Payment of all outstanding salaries to date, payment of all outstanding deductions to date, and the release of Fifteen Million Naira (N15,000,000:00) as part payment of already approved Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).”
The OAUSTECH ASUU also posited that the University Management must put in place necessary measures to mainstream EAA into Salary.
“Immediate consideration and appropriate approval of the financial Implications of the newly prepared EAA already submitted to the University Management.
“Pass vote of no confidence on the accounts of the University as presented by the University Bursar during various meetings held with the Union,” the Union statement read.
