The Federal Government on Thursday held another reconciliation meeting with officials of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Abuja.
After over eight hours of negotiation, however, there appeared to be no breakthrough.
The meeting comes after the lecturers’ failed to attend the talks called by the Minister of Labour and employment Dr. Chris Ngige, last week, saying the union was yet to conclude its consultations with its members.
In his brief opening remarks before the technical session commenced, the labour minister gave the assurance that the meeting would address the mistrust between the workers and the federal government
On his part, the ASUU president, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, expressed optimism that the industrial action would be called off if the government showed commitment to address the concerns raised.
Also in attendance were the ministers of education, the Senior Special Assistance to the President on National Assembly matters, the NLC president, and the chairman, Income and Salaries and Wages Commission.
ASUU has been on strike since August 14, over unpaid arrears and demands for improved infrastructure in the universities.
A reconciliation meeting with the Federal Government August 17 had failed to resolve the dispute, but fresh undisclosed offers were made to the lecturers.
Another reconciliation meeting held on August 29 also ended in deadlock, as ASUU insisted on seeing the government act on their demands.
They are demanding the immediate payment of earned allowances, as well as a review of the universities governance system.
Rising from a Joint Action Committee meeting of non-teaching unions in Abuja, the leadership directed their members to down tools with effect from Monday, September 11.
The meeting was attended by members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
Culled from ChannelsTv
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