By Amaka Abayomi

LAGOS—THE Research and Projects Trade Group Council of the Non-Academic Staff Unions of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU,  has said the union will step up the on-going strike following Federal Government’s refusal to honour the agreement reached with the union.

At an emergency meeting at NASU’s liaison office in Ibadan, the group, made up of NASU, Academic Staff Union of Research Institutes, ASURI and Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutes, SSATHURIAI, expressed disappointment over government’s position on the plight of the research & allied institution’s workers as the agreement reached with government to resolve issues within six weeks from 27th August, 2012, hasn’t been complied with.

They said: “We appreciate the efforts of the Minister of Labour & Productivity, Emeka Wogu, and Minister of State for Agriculture & Rural Development, Alhaji Bukar Tijani, in ensuring that the memo on our demands is forwarded to the office of President.

“Since government has decided not to honour the agreement entered into, the Council-in-session unanimously agreed to step up the on-going strike action and make it tighter, and the directive to states not to grant management any concession still stand.”
Part of the agreement entered into by both parties includes the immediate payment of the 12 months arrears; implementation of the 65 years retirement age; improved funding of research institutes; approval of earned allowances; and establishment of NARICOM, among others.