The Academic Staff Union of the University has commenced its quarterly National Executive Council meeting at the University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State.
This was disclosed to newsmen on Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja by a member of the NEC.
The meeting is coming amid nationwide protests by the branches of ASUU in all federal universities over their unpaid eight months’ salaries by the Federal Government and payment of their October salary on a pro-rata basis.
This followed the argument by the Federal Government that the lecturers could not earn salaries for the period they were on strike.
According to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, the action was based on the “No work, no pay” clause in the employment contract of government employees.
The lecturers were on strike from February 14 to October 14, 2022.
But the lecturers have remained insistent on getting paid.
They had argued that since they would cover the grounds for the period they were on strike, they should be paid.
Confirming Sunday’s meeting to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja, the NEC member said: “There is a quarterly NEC and it’s for the fourth quarter.
“Lots of issues will come up. And definitely, the issue of withheld and amputated salaries will come up.”
However, there are indications that the union might come up with far-reaching decisions on the controversial salary issue and review other demands by the union.