AAU, ASUU in showdown over no work, no pay

A showdown between striking lecturers of Ambrose Ali University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo, is imminent over an alleged attempt to by the authorities to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” against the teachers who have down tools since last November.

The lecturers are currently on strike over improved welfare conditions and draw government’s attention over decay in infrastructure.

Determined to force the teachers to work, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Ignatius Onimawo has reportedly asked Deans and Heads of Departments to implement “No work, No pay” rule even as he asked students to return to school.

However, the institution’s branch of  Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) said only its national body can call off the strike.

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The National leadership of ASUU in 2018 called out members for strike action to draw the federal government attention to decay in the nation’s universities and staff welfare.

The local chairman of ASUU, Dr Monday Igbafe bemoaned the management “desperate attempt to reopen the school”.

Igbafen said that the institution benefitted N1.4m from Tetfund last year as a result of ASUU struggle.

He charged that “the Vice Chancellor has raised a kind of alternative union (Congress of Academic Staff) that is not known to law”.

“And the latest now is that the VC is developing a kind of strategy laced with intimidation and blackmail to force our members to resume.

“Some lecturers have already compromised, and the union’s sanction would be applied accordingly”, Igbafe stated.