Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) has on Sunday directed all its members to proceed on a 14-day warning strike today over alleged inconsistencies of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The union also cited non-payment of arrears of national minimum wage, non-payment of earned allowances, among others.
SSANU President, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, in a statement, also alleged usurpation of headship of the non-teaching units by academic staff “in clear violation of conditions of service and establishment procedures”.
It would be recalled that in a letter, jointly signed by the General Secretary of NASU, Mr. Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mr. Samson Ugwoke, the unions said the decision to embark on a 14-day warning strike was in fulfillment of their threat to begin the action as soon as the federal government directs universities to resume academic activities.
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The letter reads in part;
Kindly recall earlier information on the above subject matter wherein it was conveyed that the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU would embark on a 14-day industrial action immediately universities resume following the COVID-19 lockdown.
Following the recent directives from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to Vice-Chancellors for the immediate resumption/safe reopening of universities, you are hereby directed to commence a 14-day warning strike effective from October 5 to 19, 2020.
The two unions said the warning strike could turn into full-blown industrial action if their grievances are not addressed by the federal government.
They listed their grievances to include;
Inconsistencies of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in the payment of salaries of their members; non-payment of arrears of earned allowances being owed NASU and SSANU members despite various memoranda of understanding; non-payment of arrears of national minimum wage to their members and non-payment of retirement benefits to outgone members.
The non-academic staff unions also said;
Lack of seriousness and delays by the government in the renegotiation of the 2009 FG/NASU and SSANU agreements; usurpation of the headship of non-teaching units by academic staff in clear violation of conditions of service and establishment procedures; neglect and poor funding of state universities; and corruption in the university system.
In addition, the unions cited non-constitution of visitation panels for the universities in line with the laws as other developments that are impacting negatively on their members.
They warned;
Please note that this warning strike is a prelude to a full-blown, total and indefinite industrial action if the grievances highlighted above are not properly addressed.
