Anxiety as varsity workers begin indefinite strike February 5

The non-academic workers at Nigerian universities have announced plans to commence an indefinite strike on February 5, 2021.

The Joint Action Committee of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities made this known in a press statement on Friday.

In the statement titled, ‘Press statement on the ongoing industrial unrest in the Nigerian university system over the lack of respect for collective bargaining agreement’, the workers said the strike was necessitated by the Federal Government’s failure to yield to their demands after three-day nationwide protests.

After the congress, a majority of the branches voted that there should a strike to press home their demands and other contentious issues – inconsistencies in IPPIS payment, non- payment of earned allowances, non- payment of arrears of national minimum wage, delay in renegotiation of FGN/ NASU and SSANU 2009 agreements, non- payment of retirement benefits of outgone members.

Others are teaching staff usurping headship of non-teaching units in clear violation of Conditions of Service and Establishment procedures, neglect and poor funding of state universities, and non- constitution of Visitation Panels for universities.

Part of the statement read, “The Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU had been very circumspect about embarking on a strike action. It has never been our style to undertake strike actions at the drop of a hat.

“Sadly, it would appear that our non-belligerent modes of engagement have been taken for weakness and our belief in civil engagement and dialogue has been taken for granted. It is against this backdrop and in democratic spirit that the leadership of  JAC  of NASU and SSANU threw back the decision after the three- day protests to the various memberships across Branches on the way forward and the resolutions have been overwhelming. Punch