From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
Three major unions of the Plateau State University, Bokkos, have threatened to embark on industrial action for various reasons, ranging from poor funding of the institution to lack of good welfare package to staffers.
Already, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the institution are currently on strike, while their Non-Academic Staff of Nigerian Universities (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) counterparts have issued a 7 day ultimatum to join in the stay at home strike.
In a statement issued in Jos by NASU and SSANU executives, Comrade Rwang Pam, NASU Chairman and Comrade Timnan N. R., SSANU Chairman, both officials said the pending strike will be indefinite until their demands are met.
“If State Government fails to increase the subvention of the University to enable her comprehensively address the following issues within the next seven (7) days, JAC should not be held responsible for the breakdown of industrial harmony in the University.”
It explained that they have been pressing on government to do the needful but to no avail. “Recall our letter to you dated 14th December, 2020 and our letters to the Plateau State Head of Service dated 25th November and 14th December, 2020 wherein you were copied, among many others too numerous to mention.”
Part of their demands include: the implementation of the new national minimum wage and payment of arrears; payment of earned allowances including: i. Balance of N180,000 for senior members of NASU and members of SSANU, being 50% of the 2018 arrears of hazard allowances. ii. Implementation of hazard and excess work load allowances as part of monthly salary. iii. Arrears of earned allowances from 2010 to 2017 and 2019 to date; as well as understaffing of the University.
It could be recalled that Governor Simon Lalong had recently pleaded with ASUU chapter of the institution not to embark on the strike. The governor’s appeal to the academic union was contained in a press release issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Simon Macham.
