The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) University of Cross River State chapter has resumed its indefinite strike over unpaid salaries and the state government’s failure to honor agreements reached with the union.
The industrial action followed the expiration of a 90-day grace period Governor Bassey Otu reportedly granted in July to resolve the dispute and persuade lecturers to suspend their earlier strike.
The union announced its decision at an emergency congress held on Monday at the Prefab Hall of the university’s main campus in Calabar.
The ASUU chairman, Dr Patrick Ushie, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Calabar on Tuesday, expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s failure to fulfil its commitments.
Ushie said the union had initially suspended its strike following the governor’s intervention but was compelled to resume the action after the government failed to implement the agreements.
He said, “The strike action was suspended that time because of the government intervention, but they have failed in the agreement, so we just resumed back. This particular one, it’s still indefinite.”
The union chairman said lecturers were being owed two months’ salaries, covering September and October, describing the non-payment as a major reason for the renewed industrial action.
“Why are they not giving us the salary? It’s not as if it’s a gift, it’s a salary that we have worked for. As I speak with you now, they are owing us two months,” he stated.
He also faulted the government over the absence of official communication confirming the approval and release of outstanding entitlements.
According to him, although the union had heard reports that the governor approved some payments, there was no evidence that the directive had been implemented.
“We are hearing rumours, even though it’s not written on paper that the governor has given approval. But he gave approval three months ago, and obviously I have not been paid also, meaning that he didn’t follow up the approval,” Ushie added.
He consequently directed members of the union to withdraw their services, including teaching and supervision, until their demands were addressed.
“No teaching, no supervision, no anything that affects our teaching staff,” he declared.
Ushie, however, said the union remained open to negotiations, stressing that lecturers would return to work as soon as the outstanding salaries and other agreements were fulfilled.
“That’s all. If they need to pay us tonight, tomorrow morning we’ll resume,” he said.
The union is demanding the implementation of the 2025 agreement with the state government and the resolution of outstanding welfare concerns affecting its members.
