EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities and Allied Institutions (NASU) are set to begin a nationwide strike today (Monday) to protest the withholding of their four months’ salary.
Muhammed Ibrahim, the National President of SSANU, confirmed on Sunday that both unions were prepared to embark on the nationwide strike.
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However, Prof. Tahir Mamman, the Minister for Education, expressed unawareness of the planned strike by SSANU/NASU.
In a text message sent to one of our correspondents on Sunday, the minister said, “I am not aware of any planned strike. But I know the matter is receiving attention at the highest level of govt. I will get across to them.”
The Federal Government, implementing the no-work, no-pay policy, had withheld the salaries of university workers following a prolonged strike in 2021.
However, the Federal Government in February released four-month withheld salaries to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities but left out SSANU and NASU.
The two unions, in several letters, demanded that their withheld salaries be equally released and gave the Federal Government an ultimatum with a threat to embark on a nationwide strike.
Speaking to Punch on Sunday, the SSANU leader, Ibrahim, said, “The Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU has inundated the Federal Government with the need to pay the withheld four-month salaries of our members in the federal universities and inter-university centres as done for our academic counterpart to no avail.
“As a matter of fact, the attention of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, and Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, the Honourable Minister of Education, was called to this injustice and unfair treatment of our members in our letter referenced JAC/NS/VOL.I/277 and dated 13th February 2024. We called on them to resolve the issue positively before it leads to an unnecessary upheaval in our university sector.
“On 1st March 2024, a press release was issued, giving the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to address the issue of withheld four months’ salaries.
However, with no action taken by the government after the expiration of the ultimatum, we have directed our members in universities and inter-university centers nationwide to commence a seven-day warning strike, effective Monday, 18th March 2024, as a first step.
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SSANU National Vice-President, Abdussobur Salaam, highlighted that the government has not engaged the union nor made any offer since the commencement of the agitation for the payment of withheld salaries.
Despite repeated calls for dialogue and negotiation, there has been no response or commitment from the government regarding the payment timeline or any promises made.”
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