Benue varsity staff union orders indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues
The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Associated and Educational Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities at Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, has declared an indefinite strike over non-payment of welfare arrears to members.
This decision comes on the heels of what the union described as “protracted and unjustifiable delays” in the payment of their welfare packages, leaving thousands of them in financial distress.
The unions announced the decision on Tuesday after an emergency congress, citing the management’s failure to implement the new national minimum wage, the 25/35 per cent salary increase, and payment of arrears.
Other demands include the implementation of promotion increments for staff promoted between 2022 and 2024, settlement of gratuities, regular payment of pensions with arrears, and the reinstatement of monthly remittances to the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Chairman of JAC-MOAUM, Comrade Shishi Luper, who presided over the congress, said the strike followed the exhaustion of three separate ultimatums served on the management.
“The goodwill of the congress to sustain industrial harmony has been stretched despite the untold hardship suffered by members due to non-fulfilment of staff welfare demands,” he said.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ubwa, and the Registrar, Mr. Barnabas Hemba, attended the meeting to plead for more time.
Ubwa reportedly appealed for a deadline extension till the end of September to conclude efforts to address the issues, but when the matter was put to a vote, the majority of members opted for an immediate strike.
Following the declaration, JAC directed all its members to withdraw their services and remain at home until all demands are met.
Benue varsity staff union orders indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues
