Non-Academic Staff Unions of Universities suspend warning strike

The Non-academic staff unions of Nigerian universities on Thursday in Abuja suspended its 5-day warning strike.

The unions are the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non–Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the unions announced the suspension in a communiqué.

The communiqué was jointly signed by Mr Sani Suleiman, President (NAAT), Mr Solomon Alfa, Vice-President (SSANU), Mr Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary (NASU).

Others are: Dr Jamila Suara, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Permanent Secretary in Labour and Employment Ministry, Mr Clement Illoh.

The Deputy General Secretary of SSANU, Mr Festus Ajayi, read the communiqué to newsmen at the end of the meeting with the Federal Government.

“The meeting urged the members of JAC to suspend its ongoing warning strike.

“JAC agreed to suspend the strike with effect from Friday, Jan. 20.

“After due consideration by the leadership of JAC, they agreed to convey the outcome of the meeting to their respective congresses to suspend the strike”, he said.

The communiqué stated that on the issue of Earned Allowance that any arrangement by government in this regards should involve all workers and employees in the university system.

It also stated that on the judgement of the National Industrial Court (NIC) on staff schools in the universities, there was urgent need to put the university system on notice to avoid further termination of teachers’ appointment.

The communiqué noted that a committee will be inaugurated by next week to look into the issue of corruption in some of the universities.

Ajayi urged the Federal Government to ensure that they do not renege on the 2009 agreement as reaffirmed in the just concluded meeting.

Illoh, who represented the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, commended the unions for their understanding.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the unions had declared a five – day warning strike effective from Jan. 16.