By Ike Uchechukwu
CALABAR—After 45 days of a crippling strike that has shut down academic activities at the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, said it was set to meet with the state government as both sides move to resolve the impasse.
The ASUU chapter chairman, Dr. Patrick Ushie, who disclosed this in an interview with Vanguard in Calabar, yesterday, noted that the union had received an invitation from a technical committee set up by the government to look into the matter.
He said the committee had requested documents detailing the union’s grievances, which were submitted yesterday in preparation for the meeting.
“These documents were submitted today (Tuesday), and we are preparing for the meeting before the week runs out. I am sure the documents are meant to prepare them for the planned meeting,” Ushie stated.
Asked whether the strike could be suspended after the meeting, he said: “It is all we pray and hope for, just like them.”
He, however, insisted the union would not back down until its demands are fully met.
ASUU-UNICROSS on May 19 embarked on an indefinite strike over 11 grievances bordering on welfare and the non-implementation of agreements with the union’s national body, including unpaid salaries, wage award arrears, and unremitted check-off dues amounting to N11.9 million.
