SSANU, NASU RESUMES TALKS WITH FG AFTER SUSPENSION
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The Joint Action Committee of non-teaching staff unions in Nigerian universities has resumed negotiations with the Federal Government following the suspension of its indefinite strike.
The committee comprises the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.
The unions had commenced an indefinite strike on April 30 over delays in the renegotiation of agreements with the Federal Government.
The strike was suspended on May 11 after assurances from the Federal Government Expanded Tertiary Institutions Renegotiation Committee.
The unions are demanding the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, improved welfare packages, payment of allowances and rejection of what they described as unilateral salary offers.
Speaking in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday, the National President of SSANU and Chairman of JAC, Mohammed Ibrahim, confirmed that discussions had resumed at the headquarters of the National Universities Commission in Abuja.
“We have resumed discussions today and expect to conclude the process, including the signing of agreements, within two weeks.
“We agreed that the two-week timeline begins from the day the strike was suspended,” he said.
According to Ibrahim, the unions are demanding a minimum salary increase of 40 per cent.
“We rejected the government’s 30 per cent offer, and it has been withdrawn. Our demand remains a minimum of 40 per cent,” he said.
According to him, government representatives requested time to review figures, benchmarks and other related issues before presenting a fresh proposal.
“They need to review the figures, yardsticks and other issues. We told them to do whatever they need to do, but not to come back with less than 40 per cent,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the renegotiation process would be concluded within the agreed timeframe.
Ibrahim, however, warned that the unions might resume the suspended strike if negotiations failed after two weeks.
“The mandate from our members is clear — if nothing is concluded after two weeks, the strike will resume,” he said.
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