The Federal Government of Nigeria said that it has scheduled a meeting with the executives of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) to be held on or before Wednesday this week to find a solution to pressing issues.
This was made known by the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Emameh Gabriel on Sunday.
He said the minister has sent letters to the affected unions inviting them to a dialogue to try to resolve their grievances.
“Talks are underway and there will be no strike. While SSANU and NASU threatened to strike without formally notifying the government, communication channels remained open.
“The minister has also emphasised the importance of following established procedures. She reminded the unions last week that adhering to these guidelines is essential for resolving issues.
“Strike is averted, for now. A strike has also been avoided for the immediate future. The union leaders are scheduled to meet with the minister in the middle of the week, Wednesday tentatively, to discuss their concerns,” he said.
Despite the efforts of the government, the unions have directed its members to commence the one-week warning strike nationwide beginning from Monday due to non-payment of the four months withheld salaries as approved by President Bola Tinubu.
This was contained in a circular by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the two university-based unions dated March 18, 2024 and signed by General Secretary, NASU, Peters Adeyemi, and President, SSANU Mohammed lbrahim.
“The Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU has inundated the federal government with the need to pay the withheld four months’ salaries of our members in the federal universities and inter-university centres as done for our academic counterpart to no avail,” read the circular.
“Having waited patiently for the ultimatum to expire without a positive response to our demand by the government, this is to direct our members in the universities and inter-university centres throughout the country to commence a seven-day warning strike effective Monday, March 18, 2024 in the first instance”.
