The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have announced suspension of the ongoing nationwide indefinite strike over the four months withheld salaries.
The SSANU and the NASU began an indefinite strike on October 28, protesting non-payment of salaries for over four months. This strike has disrupted school activities, forcing students to stay at home.
The salary dispute between the Federal Government and university non-teaching unions has intensified with the unions insisting on not returning to work until their demands are met. Although the Federal Government has approved payment of 50 percent of the four months’ salaries, the strike continues.
During a meeting held last Thursday in Abuja with the unions, the chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), Comrade Hassan Makolo, made it known that the leadership of the unions would call off the strike when members confirmed they had received payments alerts. Makolo emphasized that the unions are not strike-happy but are driven to action by unresolved issues.
Students are bearing the brunt of the strike, with essential services like water and electricity unavailable in school hostels. A University of Benin student noted that the backup generators are also inactive due to the strike and there is lack of water due to this development, impacting negatively on their learning and academics.
In a phone interview with a member of the non-teaching staff, Mr. Nelson, when asked if they ever intend to call off the strike if their demands are not met sooner?
He said the unions do not intend to back down until their demands are met, stating that they are not happy their salaries have not been paid and their agreement with the government to call off the strike depends on the government meeting their demands.
Asked if the Federal Government happens to come in between the unions in the future what would be their stance? He answered, “The Union is well known but if the government comes in between the unions, we don’t really care. Anyone that tries to break away is at their own expense, but until the government sees to our demands we will not back down”.
The former Minister of State Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, while speaking at the meeting held last Thursday, pleaded with the unions that the Federal Government was looking into the matter having reached an advancement stage in their discussions.
Meanwhile, 98 percent of the unions’ members have complied with the strike, refusing to back down until the government meets their demands.
