Minimum wage/ others: SSANU, NASU threaten strike if govt continues to ‘slow down’ negotiations

The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, has said it will embark on another strike if the government did not quickly comply with the demands of labour on minimum wage and others.

The two university unions asked the government to hasten the process of negotiation, approval and implementation of a New National Minimum wage to be domesticated by both states, local government and the organized private sector.

In a statement signed by Dr. A.A Lamina, Chairman, SSANU-OOU and Comrade S.A Odufuwa, Chairman, NASU-OOU, the unions said members had embarked on protest to remind the Federal Government of organized labour’s demands.

According to the two labour leaders, the protest was In compliance with the directives from the national bodies of the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU.

The statement added, “You would recall that NASU and SSANU had been doing all possible best to avert strike action in Nigeria Universities. But there is insincerity and non-challant attitudes towards our demands as University workers and Nigerians in general.

“The National body of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU met on Thursday 4^th July, 2024 to appraise and take position on the current situation in respect of the withheld four months salaries and other grievances of our members in the University and Inter University Centres.

“For the purpose of clarification, the issues are: Payment of withheld Four (4) months’ salary arrears, the Renegoiation of the FGN 2009 Agreement with NASU and SSANU, Poor funding of State Universities, New National Minimum Wage.”

The two union leaders said having sentisised the public on the plight of university workers and their demands from the government, it might have no choice but to embark on another nationwide protest on Thursday, July 18, 2024 after which the unions would take a decisive action.

The statement said, “It has never been the desire of NASU and SSANU to come out this length of protest but we are compelled by the insincerity of government.

“We hope the government would do the needful and not forcing the unions to embark on a national protest in Abuja come Thursday, 18^th July 2024 after which the JAC will meet to announce a date when strike action will commence.”