The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has said it will join the proposed strike of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Last week, NLC and Trade Union Congress declared an indefinite strike action from 3rd October, to protest the insensitivity of the government in providing palliatives to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.
In a communique issued at the end of the 45th regular National Executive Council (NEC), held at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, SSANU said: “NEC in session after due deliberations agreed that SSANU as an affiliate of the NLC, will join the strike to protest the insensitivity of government in providing palliatives to cushion the effects of removal of fuel subsidy.
“NEC, therefore, mandated all branches to mobilise her members to join the strike as declared as the demands before government also includes the release of withheld salaries of university workers”.
The communique, signed by the SSANU national president, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim complained that it felt seriously agitated by the report of the ad hoc Committee of Pro-Chancellors of state-owned universities, which among other things, recommended that state universities should not participate in nationwide industrial actions.
It, however, stressed that “NEC wishes to reiterate that SSANU at all levels ranging from national to branches is one indivisible entity. NEC therefore calls on visitors to the state universities (who are the state governors) and pro-chancellors of all state universities to urgently jettison that clause and in their best interest, expunge it because SSANU will stop at nothing to resist any attempt to dismember the union since this runs contrary to the Freedom of Association as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the labour laws”.
SSANU also called for the payment of its withheld four months’ salaries during a nationwide strike and the implementation of 23 per cent and 35 per cent salary reviews approved and led by late Professor Nimi Briggs-led committee.
The statement further read: “NEC in session for the umpteenth time condemns the action of government on the withheld four months salary arrears during the last nationwide strike embarked upon by its members, viewing it as insensitive and inconsiderate.
“It was obvious that SSANU complied with all legal provisions including giving adequate notices to the appropriate authorities but were forced to embark on that strike due to the government’s failure to honour her part of the agreement.
“SSANU, therefore, earnestly requests the government to pay the withheld salaries without any further delay considering the harsh economic realities currently faced by citizens in the country as the government is aware, the value for the money has already been eroded by hyperinflation.
“NEC recalled the renegotiation of salaries for her members with the committee led by the late Professor Nimi Briggs that was at the final stage where SSANU demanded 700 per cent wage increase but the committee offered a 23.5 per cent and 35 per cent review to our members”.
