The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) are considering escalating their warning strike to a full-scale industrial action.
This decision is due to the non-payment of four months’ salaries to their members.
Peter Adeyemi, NASU’s General Secretary, informed The Newsmen in Abuja on Monday, that there has been no progress in communication regarding the payment of the outstanding salaries since the unions suspended their warning strike in March. This has led to increased frustration among union members.
Adeyemi stated, “Nothing has happened one month after we ended the warning strike. If the government does not pay, we might have no choice but to declare an indefinite strike in federal universities and inter-university centers.”
The warning strike between March 11 and 15 was meant to push the government to pay the withheld salaries, but no steps have been taken. As a result, union members are pressing for a full-scale strike.
Though the decision to strike indefinitely has not been finalized, Adeyemi indicated that it might be inevitable if the government does not respond soon.
He emphasized that a month should have been enough time for the government to find the funds and pay the salaries.
Minister of Education Prof. Tahir Mamman noted that while the government is committed to resolving the issue, the amnesty granted to ASUU members does not automatically apply to NASU and SSANU.
He explained that ASUU’s payment was a discretionary decision by the president, and NASU and SSANU might not receive the same treatment.
The Minister assured that the government intends to settle the outstanding salaries but did not provide a specific timeline.
He also rejected the idea that there is discrimination among the unions, attributing any issues to communication problems.
However, Adeyemi Condemn the selective payment to ASUU as discriminatory and stressed the need for equal treatment among university unions.
He argued that paying only one union could lead to industrial disputes and highlighted the long-standing issue of perceived discrimination against non-teaching staff.
