The Federal Government has indicated that talks with the Academic Staff Union of Universities will continue next week.
Nigeria’s Labour Minister, Chris Ngige, revealed this during a meeting with the National Association of Academic Technologists, which is now on strike (NAAT).
He stated that the FG hopes to reach an agreement with the union soon, and that academic unions do not take advantage of the FG’s open-door policies.
He emphasized that the government was dealing with all education-related conflicts holistically, noting that none of the unions could function properly without the others.
“If you are a member of any union, you do not need to make an appointment to visit me,” he stated. The doctors began to take advantage of this advantage, and JOHESU followed suit.
“This is why the health-care industry is quiet.” The school unions, on the other hand, do not take advantage of my open door policy.”
“We don’t have to get upset about spilled milk.” Let’s take a look at your problems and see what we can do right away, what we can do in the medium term, and what we can do in the long run.
“There are some that are above and beyond me and are beyond of my control.”
“My duty is to produce an agreement after conciliation on what you and your employers, the Federal Ministry of Education, have agreed on, to set timetables and monitor them to see if the results are there.”
“That is why I want to look at you all as a whole, and I beg for your help.” I’ll continue with ASUU next week after I finish with you today,” he remarked.
He went on to say that he had met with NASU and SSANU, who were both pleased, and that the concerns that had delayed negotiations with ASUU were money and welfare, past arrears, and the 2009 renegotiation of service conditions.
“If we keep an open mind, we will find something.” He stated, “Once we get at something, it will be done.”
He did say, however, that renegotiation of the 2009 deal would take time because the Education Ministry had formed a committee to handle it.
