University workers fire shots at FG, threaten strike over Okojies 'obnoxious circular'

A circular from the National Universities Commission (NUC) has reopened hostilities between university workers and the government over the 2009 FGN/University based Unions’ Agreements.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities

In the communiqué released on Monday after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which held at Obudu Mountain Resort, Cross River State, the union issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government which elapses Wednesday 28th of April, 2015.

It said the NUC removed an agreement reached with the government in 2009 on university demonstration staff schools from the circular.

"SSANU-NEC-in-session views with very grave concern the actions of some government agencies in collaboration with certain selfish vice-chancellors to obliterate the sanctity of the 2009 FGN/University-based unions’ agreement by unilaterally expunging through a circular from NUC the aspect of the agreement on university demonstration staff schools," the union said

SSANU also lamented the government's failure to pay the outstanding arrears of its members’ Earned Allowance which runs into several billions of naira and fully implement the 2009 agreement in spite of its persistent calls.

“SSANU is further worried by the various political statements being made in the media by Government functionaries in respect of this Earned Allowances, which in effect have been putting pressures on the leadership of the union, both at National and Branch levels," the communiqué read.

It warned that government's failure to implement 2009 FGN/University based Unions’ Agreements before the said deadline will lead to the disruption of academic activities in the nation's universities.

"For the avoidance of doubt, if by April 28, 2015 the circular has not been withdrawn by NUC, the union will take labour action against the Federal Government."

The union accused the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Julius A. Okojie, of being 'overbearing' in handling the matter.

“We frown at the overbearing attitude and unnecessary roles of the National Universities Commission (NUC) in this regard."

"SSANU-NEC-in-session hereby demands the immediate withdrawal of the obnoxious circular."

Meanwhile, the Kogi State University (KSU) chapter of SSANU and the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) declared an indefinite strike yesterday.

University workers fire shots at FG, threaten strike over Okojies 'obnoxious circular'

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