Tobias Sylvester
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) has ordered its members to commence a 14-day warning strike starting from Monday.
This was contained in a letter dated 28th September 2020, and jointly signed by the General-Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President, Samson Ugwoke, and addressed to branch Chairmen of NASU and SSANU.
The unions said the decision to embark on a 14-day warning strike was a fulfillment of their threat to begin the industrial action as soon as the Federal Government directs universities to resume academic activities.
The two unions said the warning strike could snowball into a full-blown industrial action if their grievances are not addressed by the government.
Issues in dispute include alleged inconsistencies of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System in the payment of salaries, non-payment of arrears of earned allowances despite various memoranda of understanding; non-payment of arrears of national minimum wage, and non-payment of retirement benefits to outgone members.
“Kindly recall earlier information on the above subject matter wherein it was conveyed that the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU would embark on a 14-day Industrial action immediately universities resume following the COVID-19 lockdown.
“Following the recent directives from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to Vice-Chancellors for the immediate resumption/safe reopening of universities, you are hereby directed to commence a 14-day warning strike effective from 5th to 19th October 2020.
“Please note that this warning strike is the prelude to a full-blown, total, and indefinite industrial action if the grievances highlighted above are not properly addressed. JAC congresses are to be held in all branches on or before Friday, 2nd October 2020 to sensitise members and ensure the full mobilisation and compliance for the success of the warning strike. Further directive shall be conveyed as matters progress,” the letter added.
KanyiDaily recalls that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike since on March 23, 2020, over government withholding of the salaries of its members, who refused to enroll in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information platform (IPPIS).
