NASU, SSANU to embark on indefinite strike Feb 5

The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have announced plans to commence an indefinite strike on February 5.

The joint action committee (JAC) of both unions broke the news at press conference in Abuja on Friday.

According to the committee, the unions will embark on the industrial action if the federal government fails to meet their demands within the two-week warning strike issued for addressing their concerns.

It added that it was unfortunate that of the eight demands raised by the unions since last year, only one has been addressed by the federal government.

“The ongoing industrial tensions in the University System stem from the failure of Government to respect Collective Bargaining Agreements entered into with the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU,” it said.

“Out of eight of the issues, only one has been partially resolved while the other seven have not been attended to by Government, three months after the Memorandum of Understanding was signed.

“It is in line with the resolution of our members nationwide, that the leadership of the Jount Action Committee of NASU and SSANU hereby resolve that members of NASU and SSANU shall embark on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike with effect from midnight of Friday, 5th of February.

“Also, a two weeks notice effective from today, Friday 22nd January 2021, is hereby given to the Government and relevant stakeholders.”

Among issues raised by the unions include inconsistencies in IPPIS payment, non-payment of earned allowances and delay in the renegotiation of FGN/NASU and SSANU 2009 agreement and non-payment of retirement benefits of outgone members.

Others are neglect and poor funding of state universities as well as non-constitution of visitation panels for universities.

The development is coming about a month after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) suspended its nine-month strike.