The University of Uyo branch of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSA NU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU); had joined the just concluded national protest.
The decision of the branch to join the national protest was in compliance with the directive of the National Executive Council of the Joint Action Congress (JAC), an umbrella body of the university workers (SSANU/ NASU).
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A statement signed by the chairperson of JAC and SSANU of the University of Uyo, Mr. Anietie Atai, and made available to The Next Edition, stated that JAC had directed all branches in all Federal Universities and affiliated institutions to commence a-three day protest over the failure of the Federal Government to implement the Memorandum of Understanding it entered with the Unions.
Some of the reasons canvased by the protesters bothered on inconsistencies in the IPPIS payment, non-payment of Earned Allowance (EA), non-payment of arrears of national Minimum Wage, and non-payment of retirement benefits of out-going staff.
The statement read:
“In compliance with the directive of the National Executive Council of the Joint Action Congress (JAC), the umbrella body of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSA NU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU); the University of Uyo Branch of JAC/SSANU has complied with the National directive of Joint Action Congress (JAC).
“JAC in a resolution passed on Friday, January 08, 2021 in Abuja, had directed her branches in all Federal Universities and affiliated institutions to commence a-three day protest over the failure of the Federal Government to implement the Memorandum of Understanding it entered with the Unions.
“The issues which Memorandum of Understanding was entered are as follows:
(a) Inconsistences in the IPPIS Payment
(b) Non-payment of Earned Allowance (EA)
(c) Non-payment of Arrears of National Minimum Wage
(d) Delay in the re-negotiation of PGN/SSANU and NASU 2009 Agreements.
(e) The usurpation of headship of non-teaching units by academic staff in contravention to the Conditions of Service and Establishment procedures.
(f) Non-payment of retirement benefits of out-going staff.
(g) Neglect and poor funding of State Universities.
(h) Non-constitution of Visitation Panels to Federal Universities.
“Consequently, the Chairperson, Joint Action Congress (JAC) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Uyo Branch, Comrade Anietie Atai; having briefed, sensitized the University of Uyo Community on Monday, January 11, 2021, has mobilized all staff members of SSANU and NASU to express the displeasure of JAC to the inconsistences of the Federal Government on the welfare of University workers. She noted that the inconsistencies have made members to pass through excruciating pains of market forces, economic policies and realities of the global pandemic worsened by the IPPIS saga.
“With strong adherence to the COVID-19 protocols, the Chairperson JAC, Comrade Anietie Atai admonished all participants of the National Protest to be safety conscious throughout the duration of the protest. Also, she counseled members to continue in the peaceful disposition of the Joint Action Congress by displaying targeted and special placards detailing the specific needs of the Union for redress.”
