ASUU GSU gets two months withheld salaries, begins results, projects processing
…..decries payment of EAA, promotion allowance, upward review of salaries since 2019, others
Chima Azubuike
Following the release of two months withheld salaries of Academic Staff Union of Universities Gombe State University branch, its Congress has resolved the processing of 2021/2022 first semester results, as well as supervision of projects.
Disclosing this on Tuesday at a media briefing organised at the conference room of the institution, the branch Chairperson; Dr Suleiman Jauro, said it decision was sequel to a Congress held by members of the union on Monday.
The union titled its address; Gombe State Government: Address lingering issues in Gombe State University.
Recall that the management of GSU had implemented No work, No pay policy which was geared towards forcing members to return to work, failure of which August and September salaries were left hanging. However, the branch resolved not to process examination results.
He said, “The branch wishes to acknowledge the release of the two months withheld salaries in response to which the Congress has resolved to resume processing of the first semester 2021/2022 examination results as well as the supervision of all projects. The branch had last year suspended these two activities following the university’s policy of No work, No pay.”
While lamenting other concerns noted by Congress, which would boost the morale of university Academic Staff, the union stressed that welfare of its members have remained unattended to.
Jauro decried the non-increment in the monthly subvention to the university to N250m in order to enable the university seamlessly honour its obligations of payment of salaries and overhead expenses.
The Chairperson added,”Non-implementation of promotion for staff. Promotion of staff has since 2020 become a major luxury in the university to the extent that the arrears promotions covering about 13 months is yet to be paid; the 2021 promotion has not been implemented, while the 2022 promotions though long overdue remained uncompleted largely due to non-availability of fund.
“Non-payment of the accumulated Earned Academic Allowance, in the university for the period covering 2015/2016 session to 2019/2020 session.
“The branch in view of the above facts, hereby request the State Government to address these issues and recalibrate the morale of staff in the university for more stable industrial atmosphere.”
On his part, Immediate Past Chairperson Dr Oladimeji Lawal, called for implementation of Memorandum of Action in reducing the EAA, “So long as the university admit students beyond the actual capacity so shall we continue to have excess work load. For instance a lecturer in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is expected to teach a minimum of 30 students but ends up taking 500 students above the minimum. Anything above 30 falls on excess work load,” the IPC explained.
