SSANU Threatens Industrial Action over University Workers’ Salaries Delayed
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the persistent delay in the payment of monthly salaries to university workers, warning that the situation could jeopardize the fragile industrial peace in the country’s tertiary institutions.
In a letter addressed to the Accountant General of the Federation, with specific attention to the Director of the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), SSANU decried what it described as “a clear act of discrimination” against university workers following their exit from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
According to the letter signed by the National President of SSANU, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, the union lamented that, since their payroll migration, salaries of university workers are routinely paid up to two weeks after those of other federal workers, a delay that has now become a recurring issue.
“This pattern has continued unabated and has become a source of anxiety and resentment among our members,” the letter stated. “We view this delay not only as an administrative lapse but as a clear act of discrimination.”and
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SSANU reminded the Office of the Accountant General of a 2022 agreement reached between the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU and the Federal Government, which led to the suspension of an earlier industrial action. The agreement, the union emphasized, included assurances that no member would face victimization as a result of the strike.
“The continuous delay in salary payment to our members is in breach of this agreement and suggests a punitive response to our union’s lawful decisions and actions,” SSANU noted, warning that such treatment was “unacceptable” and detrimental to staff morale.
The union called on the Accountant General’s office to urgently investigate and rectify the issue, ensuring that university workers receive their salaries in line with the general federal payment schedule.
“Any further delay will be interpreted as deliberate and may compel the union to take necessary steps to protect the rights and dignity of its members,” the letter warned.
SSANU concluded by urging swift and fair intervention to prevent a potential breakdown of industrial harmony within the nation’s university system.
Copies of the letter were also sent to the Ministers of Education and Labour and Employment, as well as the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
By PRNigeria
