Taraba Varsity SSANU to continue strike until implementation of demands
By Saidu Adamu, Jalingo
The striking Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Taraba State University chapter, has insisted to remain on strike until all their demands are fully implemented.
Comrade Bitrus Joseph Ajibauka, the SSANU state chairperson/JAC Chaiman, disclosed the Union’s position in a press statement in Jalingo.
According to the statement, the union, after an emergency congress meeting held on Friday 10th January 2025, resolved that the indefinite strike action will continue until full implementation of all her demands are met.
“While we commend the state government for her efforts concerning some of our demands, we wish to state here categorically that the indefinite strike continues until all our demands are fully implemented.
“Congress resolved that the unpaid full salaries of September 2022, unpaid full salaries of October 2022, the withheld 28 per cent of June, 2022 salary balance, withheld 51% of November, 2022 salary balance, the withheld 44% of December, 2022 salary balance be fully paid.
“Contrary to the offer to pay thirty million naira for Earned Administrative Allowances (EAA) Congress, resolved that 50% of the total outstanding EAA of six hundred and ninety two million, nine hundred and thirty nine thousand, nine hundred and sixty five naira and seventy two kobo (N692,939,965.72) be paid first, while the balance of 50% should be paid within three (3) months, effective from February, 2025.
“Congress maintains its earlier position of rejecting 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and Guideline for Appointment, Appraisal and Promotions of Senior Non-Academic Staff of 2012 that was annulled, repealed and replaced for the Appraisal Exercise of 2023/2024.
“It resolved and request the state Ministry of Tertiary Education to direct the University management to apply the guidelines for appointments and Promotions of Senior Non- Academic Staff as approved by Council in 2020, that was used for 2020/2021, 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 for the 2023/2024 Appraisal exercise, pending the inauguration of the University Governing Council, for ratification.
“Congress also resolved that the Ministry of Tertiary Education should direct the University Management to complete the payment of the balance of 2016 to 2020 promotion arrears.
“Congress however commends the state government effort for commencing work on the University Pension, and resolved to go for the State Pension Scheme. However, it suggested for the establishment of the Tertiary Education Pension Board”. The statement reads.
While commending governor Agbu Kefas, and the state ministry of Tertiary Education for approving and implementing the N70,000 New National Minimum Wage of 2024 as enacted by the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, and the payment of peculiar allowances, noted that its indefinite strike action has no links whatsoever with the proposed peaceful demonstration by students that was averted.
NEXTER recalls that the University workers embarked on indefinite strike action on December 9, 2024 to press home their demands to the Taraba State government over various unfulfilled welfare packages.
