UI senior staff, non-teaching staff begin indefinite strike

The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) chapters of the University of Ibadan have embarked on an indefinite strike.

The unions embarked on the industrial action to protest shortfall in the payment of salaries and allowances of their members.

This decision was reached on Monday following a congress held by the joint union at Niser park, University of Ibadan.

According to the associations, its members have been informed to come to work “but not to work”.

Among the demands of the unions include a request for the payment of promotion arrears of its members and refund of the shortfall in salaries from December 2015 to February 2017

Earlier on March 10, the management through a release signed by Idowu Olayinka, vice chancellor of the institution, lauded the union’s concern for the welfare of its members and replied to the demands of the union.

Olayinka implored the bodies to give the management more time to tackle the issues raised.

“I thank the joint action congress of SSANU, NAAT & NASU of the University of Ibadan for its resolution which was communicated to me in a letter dated 8 March, 2017, and jointly signed by the chairmen of the three aforementioned unions,” Olayinka said.

“Your commitment to the wellbeing of union members is very much appreciated as well as your will to find a lasting solution to the problems relating to salaries and allowances currently besetting us in the University of Ibadan.

“I implore the joint action congress of SSANU, NAAT& NASU to give the university management some time to address all the issues raised in the unions’ resolution and constructively resolve them in the best interest of all stakeholders.”