Nigerian University Workers Threaten Indefinite Strike: Ultimatum Issued to Federal Government
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has issued a three-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, threatening an indefinite strike if their demands, including the payment of outstanding salaries, are not met.
Unions’ Key Demands
The unions are calling for the payment of four months' withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreements between the government and university workers. These demands are part of a broader effort to address the longstanding grievances of non-academic staff in Nigerian universities.
The withheld salaries stem from the Federal Government’s invocation of the 'No Work, No Pay' policy, which was applied when four university-based unions, including SSANU and NASU, embarked on a prolonged strike in 2022. The unions argue that the government's refusal to pay these salaries is a violation of previous agreements and have been pressing for a resolution.
Expired Grace Period and Unmet Promises
In a statement jointly signed by SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi, the unions emphasized that they had previously given the government a 10-day grace period, which expired on July 26, 2024. This grace period was intended to allow the government time to settle the outstanding salaries owed to university staff, with the warning that failure to comply would result in the shutdown of universities and inter-university centres.
However, as of mid-September 2024, six weeks after the deadline expired, the government has yet to fulfill its commitment to the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries.
Final Ultimatum: Strike Looms
In light of the government's failure to act, the JAC of SSANU and NASU has issued a final three-week ultimatum, starting from September 17, 2024. According to Ibrahim, the ultimatum marks the unions' last attempt to avoid industrial action. "It is in light of the above that we inform the government of the decision of the National JAC of NASU and SSANU, at the meeting held on 12th September 2024, that the government is given a final three-week ultimatum from Tuesday, 17th September 2024, to pay the four months' withheld salaries and implement the agreement reached on 20th August 2022. Failing this, our members may be forced to embark on indefinite strike action at the expiration of the ultimatum,” Ibrahim stated.
Presidential Approval but Delayed Action
The unions further disclosed that during the National Minimum Wage meeting held on July 18, 2024, President Bola Tinubu had approved the payment of the withheld salaries, following discussions with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
“We have it on good authority that Mr. President approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries as far back as 18th July 2024 at the National Minimum Wage meeting with the NLC and TUC leadership,” the statement noted. Despite this approval, the unions claim that no action has been taken to release the funds. "Recently, we also heard that Mr. President has approved the actual release of the payment. Regrettably, despite these approvals, nothing has been forthcoming," the unions lamented.
Potential Impact on the Education Sector
If the Federal Government fails to meet the unions’ demands within the stipulated three-week period, the impending indefinite strike could disrupt academic activities across Nigerian universities. This would further compound the challenges faced by the country's higher education system, which has already been impacted by previous industrial actions.
The unions’ insistence on being paid the withheld salaries and the government's delays highlight ongoing tensions in the education sector, as both parties navigate efforts to resolve disputes over labor rights, remuneration, and governance agreements
0 Comments