The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has announced the suspension of their ongoing strike for one month.
The strike began on October 28, 2024, when the unions protested against four months of withheld salaries, which had brought university activities across the country to a standstill.
Following the recent payment of one month’s salary, the unions issued a statement on Sunday, signed by Mohammed Ibrahim, National President of SSANU, and Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU. They urged their members to return to work on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
The statement detailed that a high-level meeting led to an irrevocable commitment from the Federal Government to pay the remaining two months of withheld salaries in staggered payments. “Arising from the above and in view of the level of commitment exhibited by the new minister and the leadership of the Department of State Services, the leadership of JAC, after several contacts and other patriotic considerations, hereby directs that the ongoing indefinite strike be suspended for one month effective Tuesday, 5th November 2024,” the statement read.
Read also: APC criticizes Makinde’s presidential aspirations, urges focus on governance in Oyo
Branch leaders of both NASU and SSANU are instructed to hold a joint Congress on their respective campuses on Monday, November 4, 2024, to inform members of these developments and encourage their return to work.
During the strike, the unions engaged in extensive discussions with various government officials, including the new Minister of Education, the Minister of Finance, and the Accountant-General of the Federation. The JAC leadership expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from their members, stating, “The National leadership of the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU acknowledges and commends our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres for their unwavering resolve, unrelenting determination and steadfast support for the ongoing strike action.”
The unions reiterated their demands, which include the payment of the remaining two months of salaries, N50 billion in earned allowances, the implementation of arrears of 25/35 percent, and adherence to the 2009 agreements with the government. They also mentioned that discussions regarding these issues are ongoing.
In previous negotiations, the Federal Government had invoked the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy when four university-based unions went on strike in 2022.
The post Withheld Salaries: SSANU, NASU suspend strike for one month appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.
