*The two non-academic unions contend the strike was necessitated by the failure of the Federal Government to address issues in earlier letter threatening to commence an industrial action if their demands were not met

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

With the extended ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) still in force, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of Education and Associated Institutions also have extended their warning strike by two weeks.

ConsumerConnect gathered the non-academic staff had commenced their industrial action midnight Sunday, March 27, 2022, after announcing that the strike was necessitated by the failure of the Federal Government to react to its earlier letter threatening to commence an industrial action if its demands were not met.

Sen. (Dr.) Chris Ngige Honourable Minister for Labour and Employment

The news of the current extension of the strike was contained in a circular signed by the SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi respectively.

The circular titled ‘Re: Commencement of two-week warning strike’ was addressed to the Chairmen of NASU and SSANU in universities and inter-university centres.

The circular noted: “Deriving from the failure of the Federal Government to act positively on the ongang warning strike, JAC hereby directs members to continue with the warning stoke for another two weeks, hoping that within the period the government wi11 be in a position to address these issues.

“However, if the present situation persists members of NASU and SSANU will be adequately informed about the next line of action before the expiration of the additional two weeks.”

The non-academic unions also stated: “The meeting observed that the Federal Government has not deemed it fit to invite the JAC of NASU and SSANU to a meeting since the struggle started and also took note of the media statement credited to the representative of the Government, Sen. (Dr.) Chris Ngige Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, on the application of ‘No Work No Pay’ policy to our members.

“The meeting, therefore, resolved that the issues in contention are not new and JAC has followed due process and fulfilled all necessary conditions precedent before commencing the strike.”

The communique further said: “In view of this, all branches of NASU and SSANU are hereby directed to hold congresses on Monday, 11th of April, 2022, and take resolutions on the ongoing strike.

“The outcome of the resolutions should be forwarded to your respective Union Headquarters immediately for collation.”