SSANU Begins Strike Monday Nationwide

VARSITIES in Nigeria are heading for yet another major shutdown as university workers have resolved to commence a nationwide strike Monday, December 10, over unpaid allowances and job security.

The workers, under the umbrella of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) are concerned over non-implementation of a 2009 agreement government entered into with them, especially as it concerned earned allowances to non-teaching staff members of the union and the planned outsourcing of non-teaching staff in universities.

Excerpt of a letter from the union to President Jonathan, the Minister of Education, the Minister of Labour and Productivity and the National University Commission (NUC), stating their grievances and threatening industrial unrest, reads: “We regret to inform Mr. President that up till this time of writing, earned allowances, as contained in the 2009 FGN/SSANU agreement, have not been implemented, despite all pressures mounted on the FGN/Staff Unions Agreement Implementation and Monitoring Committee.

“The National Executive Council at its 20th regular meeting held at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, November 23, resolved to embark on a week warning strike beginning Monday, December 10.”

It would be recalled that members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have embarked on strike actions on several occasions over the non-implementation of the provisions of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement. The Federal Government also entered into a similar agreement with SSANU called the 2009 FGN/SSANU Agreement and up till now, the provisions of both agreements have not been fully met.