SSANU and NASU have suspended their planned indefinite strike over withheld salaries due to the ongoing nationwide protests, which they believe will overshadow their issue and prevent it from receiving the necessary attention.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have decided to suspend their planned indefinite strike in light of ongoing nationwide protests against hunger and poor governance.
On July 18, the unions, through the Joint Action Committee (JAC), organized a national protest, submitting letters to the Ministries of Education and Labour and Employment. They demanded the payment of four months’ withheld salaries, warning that failure to do so would lead to an indefinite strike.
The protest coincided with a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and labor leaders from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. During this meeting, the issue of withheld salaries was raised, and the President instructed that the salaries be paid. However, no payment was made by the end of the one-week deadline, which coincided with threats from youths to initiate nationwide protests.
As a result, JAC decided to suspend the indefinite strike, reasoning that it would be overshadowed by the larger national protest, preventing the unions’ issue from receiving the necessary government attention and media coverage.
In a circular to NASU and SSANU branch chairpersons, titled “Latest Development Regarding Withheld Salaries,” JAC noted that while the ten-day grace period had expired, proceeding with the strike would be counterproductive due to the national protest’s prominence.
Signed by NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, the circular stated:
“The JAC of NASU and SSANU aims to update you on our ongoing efforts to secure the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries and address the unfulfilled agreements from August 20, 2022.
“The recent National Peaceful Protest on July 18, 2024, was a success despite police interference. Our ultimatum letters were duly delivered to the Ministers of Education and Labour and Employment. Although President Tinubu directed both ministers to secure funds for the payments, no action has been taken yet.
“It is clear that the ten-day grace period has ended, but initiating a strike now would be ineffective given the focus on the national protest, which has captured widespread government attention.
“Therefore, JAC has determined that any further action concerning the indefinite strike should be postponed until the conclusion of the national protest to ensure it receives the appropriate attention from the government and media.”
READ ALSO: NASU, SSANU Members Ordered to Commence Nationwide Strike
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