By Aderemi Bamgbose
The non teaching staff of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State has joined the nationwide industrial strike, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
NAN reports that the Joint Action Congress (JAC) of non teaching staff of Nigerian Universities comprising the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), the Non- Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologist (NAAT) had last week directed it’s members to commence an indefinite strike from 12:00 p.m on Friday.
A check by NAN at OAUSTECH on Monday revealed that the strike had begun at the institution as only students, few lectures and some management staff were seen around without the non teaching staff members.
Mr Temidayo Temola, Chairman, SSANU who comfirmed the development to NAN said that the institution’s chapter had complied with the national JAC directives to commence strike.
“Yes, we have complied with the directive of the national JAC to embark on strike and that is why our members are not seen on campus,” Temola said.
Also, Mr Peter Akindehinde, Chairman, NASU also told NAN that they have no option than to follow the directives of the national body.
“We have no option but to follow the directives of the national body, so we have embarked on the strike,”Akindehinde said.
NAN reports that the strike was embarked upon by the JAC following the Federal Government’s inability to resolve the dispute over the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) sharing formula of the N40 billion earned academic allowances and non-payment of arrears of the new minimum wage.
Other demands of the workers include the non-payment of retirement benefits to former members, non-constitution of visitation panels to universities, poor funding of universities, teaching staff usurping the headship of non-teaching units, among others.
NAN also reports that the Federal Government team led by Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige last week Tuesday met with the leadership of the unions in a bid to stop the strike but the meeting ended in a deadlock.(NAN)
Ondo varsity non teaching staff joins nationwide strike
