Four-month Arrears: Non-Teaching Staff Union Threaten to Shut Varsities
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) have protested their exclusion from the payment of outstanding four month salaries to university workers.
In a protest letter addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the groups lamented the unjust exclusion of non-teaching staff from the arrears which the federal government agreed to pay members of the Academic Staff Union of Universties (ASUU) after their industrial dispute was resolved.
This exclusion has sparked outrage among non-teaching staff members who have threatened to embark on strike if the alleged injustice is not quickly addressed.
These unions include SSANU, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
The letter recounted the challenges faced by university staff during a five-month strike from March to August 2022, triggered by the government’s failure to implement agreements with NASU and SSANU.
According to the letter, despite promises made in collective agreements and official statements, non-teaching staff continued to be denied the arrears, hence the protest.
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During the 2022 strike, the government had implemented a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy for four months, exacerbating the financial strain on NASU and SSANU members who were already grappling with the consequences of unresolved grievances.
The letter talked about the disappointment felt by NASU and SSANU members regarding government assurances that have not been fulfilled.
“Despite promises of equal treatment and payment, government actions have consistently favoured academic staff over non-teaching staff. The Joint Action Committee recalls assurances made by the Minister of Education regarding equal treatment for all unions in the university sector, yet these promises remain unfulfilled,” the letter read in part.
The letter pleaded for justice, fairness and equity within the educational sector. They emphasise that academic and non-teaching roles are equally important and should be treated as such.
The letter spoke out against the discriminatory treatment of non-teaching staff and emphasised the importance of recognising the contributions of all university employees, whether academic or non-teaching. They argued that both roles are integral to the functioning of universities and should be treated with parity.
The letter also stated that the leaderships of NASU and SSANU should not be held liable for any disruption caused to the academic calendar if the government fails to address the grievances of NASU and SSANU members promptly.
By PRNigeria
