Jennifer Ugwueke
Two non-academic unions in the Nigerian University system, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), on Friday, asked its members to commence a 14-day warning strike.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the two unions in a statement mobilised its members to embark on the warning strike beginning from 5th to 19th, October 2020.
A statement jointly signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi for SANU and Comrade Samson Ugwoke for SSANU said the action had become necessary due to the inconsistencies of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in the payment of salaries of members of the two unions.
The statement read,”Following the recent directives from the National Universities Commission to Vice-Chancellors for immediate resumption/safe reopening of Universities you are hereby directed to commence a 14-day warning strike effective from 5th to 19th, October 2020.”
Among the demands of the unions are ‘Non-payment of Arrears of Earned Allowance being owed NASU and SSANU members despite various Memoranda of Understanding; non-payment of arrears of national minimum wage to members; non-payment of retirement benefits to outgone members and lack of seriousness by Government in the renegotiation of 2009 FGN/NASU and SSANU agreements.
Others include usurpation of the headship of non-teaching units by academic staff in violation of conditions of service and establishments; neglect and poor funding of state Universities, corruption in the University system and none constitution of Visitation Panel for the Universities in line with the laws.
According to the unions, the 14-day warning strike is prelude to a full blown, total and indefinite industrial action if the grievances of the unions are not properly addressed.
The JAC urged its members to hold congresses to ensure the success of the warning strike.