UNICROSS ASUU branch demands steady salary payment, end to fractured TETFUND spending

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Cross River State branch has demanded regular payment of salary for its members.

Also, the union wants TETFUND largesse to be used strictly for research and academic development in line with the FUNDs Act.

The union leadership made the demands on Tuesday during a solidarity rally with the national leadership of ASUU which took place at the main campus of the university in Calabar.

Speaking, Chairman of ASUU- UNICROSS branch, Dr. Patrick Ushie, stated that in as much as they are in solidarity with their members at the national level who are said to be maltreated by the federal government, back home, the union is calling for regular payment of salaries and respect for TETFUND Act.

The Union calls for immediate signing and implementation of the draft renegotiated 2009 agreement as well as its domestication and implementation by respective visitors of state-owned universities.

The union as well demanded payment of promotion arrears, implementation of mainstreamed EAA in all lecturers’ salaries, removal of threats to university autonomy and academic freedom.

The chairman called for review of the NUC Act to accommodate some of the lapses, end to victimization of ASUU members in Kogi State University (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), Lagos State University and Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

The institution of a governing council at the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) and the domestication of the 70-years retirement age policy in that institution.

They demanded for regularization of retirement benefits and payment of Earned Academic Allowances at ABSU and EBSU.

“We re-echo these demands in the conviction that solidarity is not about pretending our situations are identical but is about standing together so that progress anywhere becomes progress everywhere.

“As the adage states: One hand washes the other and together they wash the face”, he stated.

By: Archibong Emmanuel

(Snr. Reporter)