NASU, SSANU, NAAT begin warning strike to protest ‘hardship’ at UNICROSS

Three labour unions at the University of Cross River (UNICROSS) have begun a three-day warning strike.

The striking unions are the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

NAN reports that the chairman of SSANU Mark Ayo and the chairman of NAAT Vincent Etta at the institution issued a joint statement confirming the development.

The strike, the unions say, begins on August 19 and is expected to run through to August 21.

The three unions are protesting what they have described as neglect, hardship for staff members, and poor funding to the university.

In April, the federal government approved a 25 percent and 35 percent salary increase for civil servants on the six consolidated salary structures.

SSANU, SSANU, and NAAT are aggrieved over the non-implementation of the 25 and 35 percent consequential salary adjustment at UNICROSS.

They listed the absence of capital projects and the host community’s encroachment on the university’s land as other reasons for the strike.

“It is on record that, we have expressed our grievances through various correspondences to the authorities,” their joint statement reads.

“The correspondences dated June 11, July 15, and August 7, 2024, gave the authorities 21 days, 14 days, and seven days notices respectively to respond to worker’s demands.

“It is sad to report that no action was taken by the authorities on the issues raised in the correspondence.”