LASU AUTHORITY AND ASUU MEND FENCES: …Signs Resolutions On Trade Dispute The Lagos State University Authority and the Institution’s Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities [ASUU-LASU] have signed an agreement that would signal the end of the strike action embarked upon by the latter in May, 2014. In an exhaustive meeting on Tuesday, 8th July, 2014 the two parties reached a truce and put pen to paper on some issues, which led to the strike action that partially grounded academic activities in the Institution for several weeks. The University Management team, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa and the Staff Union led by Dr. ‘Kunle Idris after the deliberations resolved to sheath their swords for peace to reign in LASU in the interest of the students and the entire University Community. Details of the agreement include amongst others, that the Lagos State Government had already taken action and the University authorities had effected the downward review of the school fee. Among the agreements reached was that promotion is an ongoing exercise, and any academic staff meriting promotion, shall be so promoted, following established procedures; The meeting also noted that some of the outstanding promotion cases had earlier been taken. All other outstanding cases of promotion should be forwarded to the University Appointments and Promotions (Academic) Committee according to established procedures; Academic staff who are found promotable but not recommended for promotion by the University Appointments and Promotions (Academic) Committee due to lack of vacancy will have their cases revisited; The meeting noted the need to expedite action on the DIRECTIVE of the University Appointments and Promotions (Academic) Committee to all Heads of Departments and Deans, to come up with academic positions needed in various academic disciplines; ASUU-LASU observed that the effective date of promotion for the 2012/2013 promotion exercise was fixed for May 7, 2014 by the University Governing Council. In view of this, it then requested the Governing Council that the effective date of promotion for the 2012/2013 promotion cycle and subsequent ones should be effective from October 1 of the assessment year in line with the provision in the subsisting Conditions of Service. The meeting resolved that UNIVERSITIES MISCELLANEOUS PROVISION ACT [2012] is not within the purview of Management. ASUU-LASU maintained, however, that the issue of retirement age is within the purview of the Governing Council. The Miscellaneous Act [2012] which stipulates the new retirement age is contained in the ASUU/FGN Agreement of 2009, which the Lagos State Government has agreed to implement by an Agreement reached with the Staff Unions on 31st December 2010. ASUU-LASU prayed that all that is required is for the Governing Council to implement this aspect of the Provision. However, LASU Management AND University Appointments and Promotions (Academic) Committee advised ASUU-LASU to tow the path of dialogue and lobbying. The meeting RESOLVED that as a result of the industrial action, nobody shall be victimized on the basis of his/her involvement in the strike action. In reaching this understanding, the University authorities and ASUU-LASU took due cognizance of the interest of the students, parents, guardians, general public and the image of the University. With the signing of this Agreement, both Parties hope that the strike action embarked upon by ASUU-LASU would be reviewed. The agreement was signed by the Vice Chancellor Professor OBAFUNWA, John on the part of the School authority while Professor OMOTAYO, Ayo. signed on behalf of A&P (Academic) Committee and Dr. IDRIS, A. signed On behalf of ASUU-LASU. In his remarks, the ASUU-LASU Chairman, Dr. Kunle Idris appreciated the spirited efforts of the LASU Authority in resolving the crises and commended the Vice Chancellor for his fatherly disposition and listening ears all through the period of the dispute. He maintained that the strike action was motivated by desire for a greater LASU and not selfish interests as suggested in some quarters. He further promised that by this agreement, he, alongside his executives would work hand –in-hand with the University Authority to ensure that peace remains permanently in LASU. The Vice Chancellor on his part applauded the Union for its decision to once again take an unbiased look at its demand and shifting grounds to accommodate the Management’s position. He noted that the Management meant well in all its approaches to ending the strike, and expressed optimism that the peace brokered in the meeting will be sustained and maximized to further propel the Lagos State University to greater heights. He used the opportunity to enjoin all students of the Institution who are yet to resume for lectures to do so, as the 2013/2014 Academic Session is already in progress. By this agreement, a Congress of the ASUU-LASU is expected to be conveyed within the next few hours to review the agreement and officially call-off the strike action.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 11:28:51 +0000
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