Non-teaching staff in federal varsities begin indefinite strike over withheld salaries

The joint action committee of non-teaching staff unions in federal universities has directed its members to proceed on an indefinite nationwide strike.

The strike, which begins on October 28, follows the non-payment of its members’ four months withheld salaries.

The JAC comprises the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

The committee in Abuja issued a circular to all branch chairpersons in the universities and inter-university centres.

The general secretary of NASU Peters Adeyemi and the president of SSANU Mohammed Ibrahim signed the document.

The federal government, under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, had withheld the salaries of university staff who participated in an eight-month strike in 2022.

In October 2023, President Bola Tinubu approved the release of four months of the withheld salaries of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Left out in the payments, SSANU and NASU alleged unfair treatment and discrimination against non-academic staff by the government.

In July, SSANU and NASU planned a pre-strike protest to evoke a federal response on the unpaid salaries.

The unions have since been at loggerheads with the federal government, initiating talks with the education and labour ministries.

The SSANU-NASU committee said it has issued multiple notices to seek redress on the matter but payment has yet to be made.

“Because of this, the leadership of JAC has decided that the effective date for the strike be moved to midnight of Sunday, 27th October 2024,” the committee’s circular reads in part.

“This is to allow the branch officers of NASU to be on the ground before commencing the strike.

“We have to do this strategic change in timing for effective co-ordination and for both unions to be on the same page.

“We express our deepest appreciation for your steadfast commitment to the leadership and we affirm our determination to persist in this struggle until ultimate victory is secured.”

A strike by non-teaching staff, who oversee administrative operations like admissions, examinations, maintenance, and security in federal universities, typically disrupts academic activities.