Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have shown indications that the union may make some concessions in its demands from the government, with only about 72 hours left to the time range which the Federal Government gave the Prof. Briggs Committee to conclude negotiations with the union.
The union intimated that though the concessions may not include overlooking the demands that have financial implications, the union could give more time to the government to meet some demands.
Prof. Osodeke, the National President of the union said: “Demands that have financial implications such as the payment of Earned Academic Allowance, Revitalisation Fund, the payment of withheld salaries are not negotiable. There are some areas we may shift grounds but until it is officially done, let us wait.”
“Our children and wards are affected too by the strike. How much do we earn to send them abroad or to private universities here?
“We are not insensitive to the welfare of our students and the anxiety of parents. It is the government that is not getting its priorities right. Education is a vital sector that should not be left to rot,” he said.
The National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said the two parties had been meeting as scheduled and that negotiations are in top gear.
“All I can say is that we are meeting and we are discussing and progress is being made. Whatever we arrive at we will make public. Whether their team has a time limit to do its job does not concern us. As a union, we are always ready to negotiate whenever they are ready too,” Prof. Osodeke said.
