The Joint Action Committee of non teaching staff unions in the universities, comprising the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has lamented that there has been no official communication from the federal government regarding its ongoing strike.
On Monday, the JAC of SSANU and NASU commenced an indefinite strike over four months of withheld salaries, effectively halting university activities nationwide.
Speaking to PUNCH on Tuesday, the National Vice-President of SSANU, Abdussobur Salaam, said, “There’s no update on the ongoing strike; it continues. Some informal contacts were made between the minister of state for education and our union executives, but there’s been no real progress, just an informal appeal.
“This issue has persisted for a long time, with repeated promises that have not been fulfilled. All our ultimatums have expired, and we still haven’t received any payments.
“The recent invitation was merely an informal call on the phone. We urge the authorities to take decisive action; we have come too far and can no longer accept empty promises. If we don’t receive our payments, we won’t back down.”
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Recall that the Joint Action Committee directed its members to proceed on a nationwide indefinite strike from Monday over the non-payment of the four months withheld salaries.
The strike according to the leaders of the two unions would commence on Sunday night of October 27, 2024.
JAC in a circular to all branch chairmen of NASU and SSANU in the universities and inter-university centres, with the title: “Latest development in respect of the withheld four (4) months salaries,” explained that the strike initially billed for 23rd October, was rescheduled because of the Trade Group Council meeting of NASU branches on the said date.
The circular which was signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU President, explained that the strategic change in timing was for effective co-ordination and for both unions to be on same page.
JAC regretted that despite President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the 50 percent of the four months withheld salaries to be paid, the alleged inaction of the Minister of Finance raised question about the government’s commitment to resolving the issue.
According to the circular, “It is on record that JAC of NASU and SSANU has issued multiple notices to the government to redress this ugly situation. However, the sincerity of government to our cause is in doubt.
“However, the Trade Group Council Meeting of NASU branches in the Universities and Inter- University Centres has been scheduled to hold on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th October 2024 at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and the arrangements for the meeting already concluded.
“In view of this, the leadership of JAC has decided that the effective date for the strike be moved to mid-night of Sunday, 27th October 2024, to allow the Branch Officers of NASU to be on ground before commencing the strike.
“We have to do this strategic change in timing for effective co-ordination and for both Unions to be on same page.
“We express our deepest appreciation for your steadfast commitment to the leadership and we affirm our determination to persist in this struggle until ultimate victory is secured.”
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