The PLASU chapter of ASUU on Tuesday said only payment of 50 per cent of their unpaid N215 Million allowances will see them return to class.

This position is what was contained in the Union’s letter to the Plateau State government’s high powered 7 – Man Committee headed by the State Head of Service, Mr Azi Izang.

ASUU of PLASU has since December 2020 been on strike over some teething issues bothering on allowances and infrastructural development and could not reach an agreement with the state government to end the strike.

Dr Bentse Pamson, ASUU Chairman, who made available to newsmen in Jos the letter his Union wrote to the government, said, “we had a Congress today and took the decision to continue with the strike until our demands are met.,”

The letter dated Feb. 23 and addressed to the chairman of the committee to negotiate and addressed issues raised by labour unions of the University said that its present position was sequel “to consultations with relevant organs of our Union.and the general Congress held on Tuesday, Feb 23.”

“We regret to inform you that the Congress in return to your earlier appeal, also appeal to the state government to prioritize our welfare and meet up with the down payment of 50 per cent minimum of the total arears.

“Let the balance of the 50 percent be paid on or before Feb 22 as it had earlier considered.

“We assure you of our esteem readiness to return to the negotiation table at earliest time of your convenience,” the letter read.

Pamson expressed surprise why the visitor to the university, Governor Simon Lalong, found it difficult to prioritize the welfare of staff of the institution as his Counterparts in Katrina and Gombe states are doing.

According to him, “Katsina state Governor recently approved the payment of N351 million owed staff of Umaru Miss Yar’adua University, Katsina between January and April 2021.”

“Similarly, Gombe State Governor has approved the payment of N135 million out of N250 million owed ASUU of Gombe State University. Why is our own difficult?” he asked.

The chairman said, “anything short of the 50 percent will be difficult for us accept and call off the strike.”

Contacted, Mr Azi Izang, Chairman of the negotiation committee, acknowledge receipt of the letter and that the Union’s position would be taken to the Governor before returning to the negotiation table.

“This is the response we have been waiting for for over two weeks now. Now that we have heard from them, we shall prepare to return on the negotiation table as soon as possible, ” Izang stated.

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Only payment of half of our arrears will return us to class – PLASU ASUU tells Plateau Govt