After more than six months of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, it appears that the union leaders have been able to make some progress in its negotiations with the FG, especially, as it affects its original demands and the 2009 agreement and the platform for payment of their salaries and allowances.
However, it appears the major bone of contention at the moment is on whether the FG should pay them salaries for the months they were on strike or not. The Federal Government has RIGHTLY refused to pay them for these months, while ASUU is insisting that they must be paid for not working.
Given that I have valued mentors, friends and those I consider blood among the ASUU than I have in any other place, I am expected to take sides with ASUU on this matter, but that would be an illogical thing to do.
Nigerian students have lost time in their studies and academic plans as a result of this industrial action and the Nigerian Federal Government has also lost, DESERVEDLY, unquantifiable amount in integrity and public rating due this strike action, it would be selfish for the ASUU to insist on not losing anything, and by the way, it will be immoral to expect to be paid for work you didn’t do. It is actually, corruption to do so.
ASUU has severally told us to make sacrifices, that spending two years at home in order to achieve the aims for which they embarked on strike, won’t be too much sacrifice to make, and we agree with them, or rather we have no option but to accept our fate in that regard. But, what would be ASUU’s own sacrifice in all this? Would they sit at home all these months, and get paid for sitting at home, while the time lost by Nigerian students will never be retained?
Knowing how the Nigerian system works, I won’t be surprised if the FG is eventually blackmailed into acceding to ASUU’s request for them to be paid for work they didn’t do, but I would wish, this doesn’t happen.
If you must embark on strike action, you must be ready to forfeit your pay for the period the strike action lasted. If you have to be paid for the period you were on strike, then, you haven’t embarked on any strike, but you just took an unapproved holiday or leave and get a pat on the back for punishing innocent students.
Let ASUU return to classes if their other demands have been met, but as for paying them any dime for the months they didn’t teach, that would be irresponsible of the FG.
Onwuasoanya FCC Jones
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