ASUU Strike Update In Punch ( Suspension Of Strike: No Classes Yet, Unijos Asu)

The University of Jos Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has resolved to support the suspension of the over three-month-old strike by public university lecturers for two weeks, to allow for conclusion of negotiations with the Federal Government.

However, the Chapter has said that it will not resume classes, but will only take advantage of the suspension to “dust our chairs and clean our offices.”

Chapter Chairman, Dr. Timothy Namo, said that the decision was in line with the directive of the National Executive Committee of the union, which mandated them to hold to make input into the propriety of suspending the strike.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Namo said members expressed satisfaction at the briefing they got on the progress made so far, and opted to support the suspension of the strike.

He said that the decision not to resume classes followed apprehension expressed by members that government might again renege on signing the agreement, hence, the decision to suspend rather than outrightly call off the strike.

Namo said, “Once beaten, twice shy. We are giving them (government)the benefit of the doubt and if the government does not do what it promised within the two weeks, then the strike will resume. That is what our members are saying,” he said.

He said the national leadership of ASUU would collate the decisions reached by the various chapters and announce the consensus of opinion of members at a meeting scheduled to hold on Friday (today).