The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has officially announced the suspension of the ongoing nationwide indefinite strike, which was initiated due to the four months of withheld salaries.
This decision comes after discussions aimed at addressing the grievances of the unions. The JAC expressed hope that this suspension would lead to a resolution of the salary issues and improve the working conditions for their members.
The circular titled, "Update on indefinite strike action," was signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, national President of SSANU.
The suspension, as stated in a circular sent to all branches of the two university-based unions, will take effect from November 5, 2024.
In the circular by JAC to branch chairmen of NASU in the Universities and Inter-University Centres, the suspension is to last for one month pending when the Federal would pay the remaining one month out of the two months of the withheld salaries it acceptable to pay.
The government had accepted to pay 50 percent of the four months salaries and one month was paid at the weekend.
The circular announcing suspension of the strike said, "The National leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU acknowledges and commends our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres for their unwavering resolve, unrelenting determination and steadfast support for the ongoing strike action.
"You will recall that the ongoing strike action foisted on us commenced on the Monday, 28th October, 2024 as a result of Government's insensitivity to the plights of our members in respect of our legitimate demands
"During this industrial struggle, we have had several extensive and exhaustive deliberations with the officials of the Federal Government of Nigeria including the new Minister of Education, the Minister of Finance, the outgoing Minister of State for Education, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, the Accountant-General of the Federation and the leadership of the Department of State Services
"These high-level engagements culminated into extracting an irrevocable commitment from the Federal Government that the 2 months of the 4 months withheld salaries would be paid in staggered form. One month by the end of October, 2024 (which has largely been done), then the second month to be paid by the end of November, 2024.
"Arising from the above and in view of the level of commitment exhibited by the new minister and the leadership of the Department of State Services, the leadership of JAC, after several contacts and other patriotic considerations, hereby directs that the ongoing indefinite strike be suspended for one- month effective Tuesday, 5th November, 2024.
"Branch leaders of both NASU and SSANU are hereby directed to convene a joint Congress in their respective campuses on Monday, 4th November, 2024 and intimate members of these development and urge them to resume work on Tuesday, 5th November, 2024.
"We wish to also reiterate that discussions on the remaining 2 months, the N50 billion Earned Allowances, Arrears of 25/35 per cent and the Wage Award have been revisited and are undergoing deliberations."
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