Taraba varsity SSANU declares indefinite strike over unpaid allowances

Eleojo Samuel, Jalingo

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Taraba State University, on Wednesday announced the withdrawal of her Services to the university and embark on an indefinite strike.

Comrade Bitrus Joseph Ajibauka, the chairperson of the association who announced the Union’s decision in a press statement said, the action follows, both the state government the and university management’s failure to meet her long overdue demands.

The union noted in the statement that it has been shortchanged, neglected and left out by the University Management and the Taraba State Government by failing to address their challenges.

“This is to notify the general public that the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)Taraba State University Branch has from today Wednesday, the 11thDecember, 2024, commenced a total comprehensive and indefinite strike action. We have withdrawn our services to the Taraba State University, with effective from Monday, 9th December, 2024.

“This action is imperative because we have been shortchanged, neglected and left out by the University Management and the Taraba State Government for failing to address our demands.

“We want both the Taraba state government and the university management to address the following demands before we can resume our services.

“The Outstanding salary /Allowances, Unpaid full salaries of September 2022, Unpaid full salaries of October 2022, the Withheld 28% of June, 2022 salary balance, the Withheld 51% of November, 2022 salary balance and the Withheld 44% of December, 2022 salary balance.

“The promotion arrears balance of 2016 to 2020 promotion arrears. The lack of pension scheme. The Contributory pension Scheme of the university since it inception in 2008 to date, is against the provision of Pension Act, and is a threat to the future and job security of our members.

“The dissolution of the Taraba State University Governing Council by the Visitor Dr. Agbu Kefas, on the 1st June, 2023 is affecting the performance of the University because the University is now operating without Council.

“It is heart touching to report to you that Taraba State University, Jalingo is still using the N18,000 National Minimum Wage Bill of 8th December, 2009. Across the four (4) salary structures, which was implemented in April 2010.

The N30,000 National Minimum Wage of 2019, the 25/35 per cent salary consequential adjustment of 2023 and the N70,000 New National Minimum Wage of 2024 as enacted by the National Minimum Wage (Amendment), Act
2024 have not being implemented in the University by the University
Management and the Taraba State Government.

“Our members in Taraba State University are yet to benefit the N35,000 wage award per month as approved by President Bola Tinubu. The Balance of Earned Administrative Allowances (EAA) for nonteaching staff from 2009 to 2013 has not been paid.

“We totally reject the retrogressive application of the Criteria and guideline for appointment, appraisal and Promotions of Senior Non-Academic Staff of 2012
that was annulled, repealed and replaced for the Appraisal Exercise of 2023/2024.

“The guidelines for Appointments and Promotionsof Senior Non-Academic Staff as approved by Council in 2020 that was used for 2020/2021, and 2022/2023 Appraisal exercise has not been repealed by any Council. Pursuant to this, we are re-appealing to the University Management and the
State Government to use the 2020 policy document for our Appraisal exercise of 2023/2024 and set up a Committee to review it as appropriate”. The statement read.