The academic staff at the University of Cross River State are preparing for talks with the state government after 45 days of strikes halted all teaching and learning activities on campus. The ASUU chapter at UNICROSS says it received an invitation from a government technical committee to discuss the dispute.
Dr Patrick Ushie, the union's chapter chairman, told reporters in Calabar on Tuesday that his members submitted documents outlining their grievances to the committee. He said the meeting should take place before the week ends.
When asked if the strike might be called off after the talks, Ushie said: "It is all we pray and hope for, just like them."
However, he made clear the union won't retreat from its position. "There is no backing down on the strike until our demands are fully met by the government," he declared.
The strike began on May 19 over 11 issues affecting staff members and the failure to implement earlier agreements. The grievances include unpaid salaries, outstanding wage awards, and N11.9 million in unremitted check-off dues.
Ushie said dialogue with the university's management broke down after officials cited insufficient funds. According to him, management told union leaders that the institution currently receives N300 million in government subvention but would need an extra N200 million to address their concerns.
The union also wrote to the governor, but Ushie noted that no response has come since they sent the letter. Governor Bassey Otu approved the creation of a seven-member technical committee on June 17, with Prof.
Uduak Effiong leading the group.
The committee's mandate covers a wide-ranging assessment of working conditions at the university, staff welfare matters, and how the institution is run. Otu's move aimed to resolve the crisis and help the university achieve greater academic success.
