Fresh strike seems to be looming in public universities, as the two weeks ultimatum issued to the Federal Government by both Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities( (SSANU) and Non Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) to immediately pay the four (4) months withheld salaries, expires on Tuesday, 2nd of July,2024
The Joint Action Committee of the unions had in a letter dated 19th of June addressed to the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman by SSANU President, Comrade Mohamed Ibrahim and General Secretary of NASU, Prince Peter Adeyemi JP ,issued the threats to shut down the universities ,if the outstanding salaries were not paid to members within the two weeks grace period from the date of the correspondence with the minister
Edu-Biznews gathered from a top official of one of the two unions, who said nothing had changed since the correspondence issued, as government had failed to respond to the demands of the unions
The two unions which held National Executive Council meeting last week,will be holding a crucial Congress of their members on Thursday,where the vital decision on the next line of action will be taken
The Joint Action Committee had in the letter reminded the government of its recent one week warning strike held between March 18 and 24, 2024, to protest the alleged unpaid arrears of four months salaries withheld between May and August,24, 2022 , following the indefinite industrial action by members of the unions for their welfare during the immediate past administration of Mohammadu Buhari
The two unions expressed concern that series of letters written to the government as well as engagement and assurances on the payment of withheld salaries had failed, warning that they could no longer guarantee industrial peace and harmony on the University campuses
"We wish to express our regrets and dismay that up till date, the withheld salaries have not been paid to our members"
"This also negates the spirit of collective bargaining and builds distrust
The deafening silence of government on the labour matter according to the two unions, is creating high level of agitations and contentions among members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres such that can no longer guarantee industrial peace and harmony on the University campuses
"We therefore demand the immediate payment of four (4) months withheld salaries to our members not later than two (2)weeks from the date of this correspondence, failing which we will be left with no option than to shut down the Universities and Inter-University Centres ", the unions warned
Edu-Biznews recalls the Minister had last week held a crucial meeting with leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU to avert similar strike by the union over the unpaid eight months salaries withheld by the immediate past administration of Mohammadu Buhari during the prolong strike of the union in 2022
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