The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has decried the sack of 400 members of the union said to have been sacked by the proprietors of member institutions for fighting for their rights and interests in the university system.
ASUU said intimidation and persecution were common in state-owned institutions, as governors, who are visitors to the institutions, don’t tolerate opposing views and policies, which lecturers saw as not being in the interest of the education system in their respective universities.
The immediate past Chairman of ASUU, University of Lagos chapter, Dr. Dele Ashiru, disclosed this while speaking with journalists at the end of the Leadership Training Workshop, organised by the union for the new Executive of the university’s branch.
At the workshop, which was held at the ASUU Auditorium within the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State branch, had participants taken through topics, such as qualities required of leaders of the union for effective performances, principles of collective bargaining and negotiation.
The training also equips participants with the requisite knowledge and skills to enhance their commitment to roles as union leaders. It is facilitated by seasoned and former union leaders, including Dele Ashiru and Dr.Siji Sowande, who serve as resource persons.
While stating that the union has been standing against persecution and would continue to fight for the genuine interest of its members, Wasiu said the union would not tolerate any unethical behaviour from any of its members.
Ashiru said, “ASUU has been supporting its members, who were persecuted for fighting for the union’s interest and betterment of the University system and will continue to do this if it is in their collective interest.
“On the other hand, the union had sanctioned many erring members who engaged in unethical practices and will still do so if there are confirmed infractions
“ASUU as a union has zero tolerance for unethical practices and will continue to emphasise this to its members. The union does not tolerate indiscipline of any sort.”
Ashiru said deliberate persecution of the union members has affected the morale of lecturers, adding that the union often clashes with the management of institutions due to unpalatable management policies, which are often based on political considerations.
Also speaking, Acting branch Chairman, ASUU-OOU, Dr. Wasiu Olooto, said the workshop was organised to educate the union executives on what is expected of them in discharging their roles and also to know their limitations while discharging their functions.
He said participants at the workshop are expected to take the message and experience gathered to their respective offices and committee levels for effective dissemination.
