The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has said it is yet to receive any official invitation from the Federal Government for negotiations towards resolving the over three weeks old strike embarked on by the union.
The President of the union, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, on Sunday said that they were ready for talks and would attend any meeting called by the government to resolve the lingering strike which has paralysed academic activities in the universities.
“We have not received any invitation from the government, but we are ready for talks anytime they call us for negotiations,” he said on the telephone.
Asked if he believed the government was delaying the negotiation by not fixing a definite date for talks, Ogunyemi said the holidays might have been responsible for the lack of communication, adding that the government would likely schedule a meeting after the Sallah break.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige had earlier said negotiation between the Federal Government and ASUU will resume after the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.
This was revealed in a statement issued by Mr Samuel Olowookere, Deputy Director (Press) in the ministry, Ngige said the meeting would hold shortly after the holidays as requested by the leadership of ASUU.
He also dispelled speculations of uncertainty over talks between the Federal Government and the union.
“Engagement of the striking ASUU members is still being handled by ministers of Labour and Employment and the ministers of Education.
“Issues of strike by an employee are a labour matter. The Minister of Labour and Employment is, therefore, synergising with his the Ministry of Education to resolve the dispute.
“This is normal procedure in government where ministers brief and report to the president or vice-president to streamline efforts and gains in a given assignment,’’ he said.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that members of ASUU embarked on an indefinite strike on Aug. 13, following government’s failure to implement the agreement reached with the union.