University workers begin strike on Friday

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), has maintained that it would proceed on the planned indefinite strike scheduled to begin on Friday, February 5.

President of SSANU, Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, told Daily Trust in a telephone interview that the leadership of JAC met on Thursday and directed all the branches to mobilise all members of the unions and ensure there is total compliance.

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Ibrahim said they had also written a notice to all branches to that effect, saying they were not going to back down until there are new resolutions from members of the union nationwide.

He stressed that the federal government failed to resolve lingering issues after fourteen days ultimatum.

The notice, made available to our correspondent by the SSANU’s President, explained that the indefinite nationwide strike takes effect from 12 midnight, Friday, February 5, 2021, pending any contrary resolution by the branches.

“In view of the outcome of the meeting, the leadership of JAC of NASU and SSANU at the branches are hereby directed to commence joint general meetings on Friday to give reports on the outcome of the conciliation meeting and pass resolutions on the way forward.

“In the meantime, the nationwide strike takes effect from 12 midnight, Friday, February 5, 2021, pending any contrary resolution by the branches,” the notice partly read.

It would be recalled that the JAC had last month held nationwide protests to press home their demands bordering on alleged injustice on sharing formula of N40bn Earned Allowance and non-payment of minimum wage arrears.

Other contentious issues raised include: inconsistencies in the implementation of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), delay in renegotiation of FG/NASU and SSANU 2009 agreement, non-payment of retirement benefits of outgone members among others.