The Non-academic Unions of the university of Ibadan today directed its members to proceed on an indefinite strike to protest illegal deductions of pensions and shortfall in the payment of salaries by the University of Ibadan management and Federal government respectively.
The decision to proceed on the strike was finally reached today at a joint congress of the three non-academic unions where the position of the university management to attend to the demands were rejected.
The Vice Chancellor Professor Idowu Olayinka had written to the unions stating his resolve to improve on staff welfare adding that his administration had nothing to hide
However, the joint congress which started after 8am this morning however rejected the plea by the University Management to grant the university some time to address all the issues while others will the channeled to the Governing Council scheduled to meet this Wednesday.
The congress was presided over by the leadership of non-academic staff union (Wale Akinremi (SSANU), Caleb Falaye (NAAT) and O.A Arojo (NASU).
The Joint Action Congress of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technicians (NAAT) on campus had given the management till 10th March, 2017 to address the issues or face indefinite strike action.
Their demands included non-payment of promotion arrears, illegal pension deductions, constitution of independent and credible staff audit exercise and investigation into the internally generated revenue and its mode of expenditure.
Our correspondent reports that immediately after leaving the congress, non-academic staff proceeded to their offices to pick their baggage and put their offices other under lock and key.
Meanwhile the Academic Staff of the University were yet to commence their strike.
A message by the Chairman ASUU, UI Dr Deji Omole urged members to endure the hardship adding that the position of the congress to proceed on warning strike was still being processed by the national headquarters of the union.
“Dear Comrades, reports reaching us indicate that our request for action is still being processed by National. Members should please endure while we engage relevant authorities.”
The University of Ibadan chapter of ASUU had resolved to proceed on a week-warning strike if approved by the national headquarters of ASUU to protest shortfall in salaries, illegal deduction of pensions, unpaid postgraduate supervision allowance and promotion arrears.
Report by Tade Abayomi
