The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions has reaffirmed the suspension of its planned indefinite nationwide strike earlier scheduled to begin on May 11, while issuing a fresh two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government.
SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this in an interview on Sunday in Abuja, saying the unions agreed to temporarily suspend the strike following assurances from the Federal Government’s Expanded Tertiary Institutions Renegotiation Committee.
According to him, the unions are giving the government a two-week window to conclude and sign agreements arising from the ongoing renegotiation exercise.
“We are giving a two-week window to conclude the renegotiation exercise and sign agreements as promised,” Ibrahim said.
He explained that the decision to suspend the industrial action was based on firm commitments made by the government committee handling the negotiations.
The unions had earlier, on May 1, directed members nationwide to embark on an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare and salary issues affecting university workers.
Ibrahim, however, warned that the suspension remained temporary and conditional, stressing that failure by the Federal Government to meet the deadline could trigger another round of industrial action.
“We will closely monitor the negotiations within the two-week window. All outstanding issues must be resolved without further delay,” he added.
The unions are demanding the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, review of salary structures, full implementation of collective bargaining agreements, payment of outstanding allowances and arrears, as well as improved welfare conditions for members.
They also rejected what they described as unilateral salary offers, including the reported 30 per cent increase proposal.
The development comes amid growing concerns over labour unrest in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector and fears of disruption to academic activities across public universities.
(NAN)
