By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
The Joint Action Congress of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technicians (NAAT) at the University of Ibadan on Monday directed all its members to embark on indefinite strike .
At a joint congress held at the University campus early yesterday, the unions said the strike was in protest over of the illegal deductions of pensions and shortfall in the payment of their salaries
The unions listed their other demands as “non-payment of promotion arrears,illegal pension deductions, constitution of independent and credible staff audit exercise and investigation into the internally generated revenue and its mode of expenditure”.
During the joint congress presided over by Comrades Wale Akinremi of SSANU, Caleb Falaye, NAAT and O.A Arojo, NASU, the unions rejected pleas by the Institution’s Management to grant it “some time to address all the issues while others will the channeled to the Governing Council scheduled to meet this Wednesday”.
Upon rejecting the plea, the three non-academic unions directed all their members to immediately embark on indefinite strike with the members without wasting time heading to their offices to pick their belongings and as well locked their offices.
New Nigerian gathered that Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Idowu Olayinka had written to the unions of his resolve to improve on staff welfare,saying, his administration had nothing to hide.
While members of the Joint Action Congress of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technicians (NAAT) at the University of Ibadan had given the Institution’s management till 10th March, 2017 to address the issues or face indefinite strike action,it was learnt that the Academic Staff of the University was yet to decide on its strike.
According to a message by the Chairman ASUU, UI Dr Deji Omole, members should endure the hardship as the position of the congress to proceed on warning strike was still being processed by the national headquarters of the union.
“Dear Comrades, reports reaching us indicate that our request for action is still being processed by National. Members should please endure while we engage relevant authorities.”