Amid hopes of physical resumption of academic activities across Universities in the country, there are fresh worries over this as unions are set to commence a fresh indefinite strike on February 5th, 2021.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Joint Action Committee of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities on Friday.
In the statement titled, ‘Press statement on the ongoing industrial unrest in the Nigerian university system over the lack of respect for collective bargaining agreement’, the workers said the strike was necessitated by the Federal Government’s failure to yield to their demands after three-day nationwide protests.
Part of the statement read, “The Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU had been very circumspect about embarking on a strike action. It has never been our style to undertake strike actions at the drop of a hat.
“Sadly, it would appear that our non-belligerent modes of engagement have been taken for weakness and our belief in civil engagement and dialogue has been taken for granted. It is against this backdrop and in democratic spirit that the leadership of JAC of NASU and SSANU threw back the decision after the three- day protests to the various memberships across Branches on the way forward and the resolutions have been overwhelming.
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“The resolutions across the Branches have been overwhelming and convey the disenchantment of members over the sorry state of affairs.
“The outcome of the resolutions across the Branches are as follows: NASU – 90 per cent in support of strike, 10 per cent against strike; SSANU – 83 per cent in support of strike, 11 per cent against strike, and six per cent indifferent.
“It is in line with the resolution of our members nationwide, that the leadership of the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU hereby resolve as follows – that members of NASU and SSANU shall embark on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike with effect from midnight of Friday, 5th February 2021.
“That two weeks’ notice effective from today, Friday 22nd January 2021, is hereby given to Government and relevant stakeholders of this development.”
