The Federal Government has expressed displeasure at the action of two university-based non-teaching staff unions that embarked on seven-day nationwide strike, describing it as a total disregard for concerted effort to address the pending concerns.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha in a reaction, appealed to the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU to call off the industrial action, which started on Monday, March 18.
The Minister stated that the Ministry was not officially notified by the unions of their intention to proceed on a seven-day warning strike, insisting it is contrary to the provisions of section 18 of the Trade Unions Dispute Act.
However, she said when the Ministry got wind of the intended warning strike, it reached out to the leadership of the unions for an emergency meeting in order to avert the strike, Unfortunately, a physical meeting could not be arranged between the unions and the Federal Government, but a tele-discussion took place between the Unions’ leadership and the Ministry.
She said, consequently the Ministry suggested another date, which was Monday, March 18, for a proper conciliation meeting, believing that on the basis of that discussion, the intended strike would be put on hold pending the outcome of the meeting; but the date was rejected by the unions, and a strike started instead.
The Minister however did not say if payment of the four months withheld salary of SSANU and NASU members which is the key demand of the striking workers is being processed.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
