The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has directed branches nationwide to suspend the ongoing strike from May 11 following fresh negotiations with the Federal Government.
The decision followed a new agreement reached after a series of meetings between the unions and the Federal Government’s expanded renegotiation committee, led by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed.
NASU and SSANU commenced the strike on May 1 over delays in concluding renegotiations and the absence of a revised government offer on workers’ allowances.
In a circular issued on Wednesday and jointly signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU National President, Mohammed Ibrahim, JAC said the suspension was based on commitments secured from the government during the latest round of discussions.
According to the unions, the negotiations also addressed the contentious 30 per cent salary increase under the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS), which had previously been proposed before being withdrawn.
JAC stated that the Federal Government had pledged to conclude all outstanding renegotiations within two weeks of the strike suspension.
“The leadership of JAC considered the passionate appeal for the suspension of the ongoing strike action and also extracted a commitment from the FGN Expanded Renotiation Committee that all renegotiations, including a reviewed offer of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS), shall be concluded in two weeks from the date of the suspension of the strike,” the statement read.
The committee directed branch leaders to convene congresses to brief members on the development and ensure full compliance with the suspension, which takes effect on May 11.
The unions also commended members for their solidarity during the industrial action, noting that the nationwide compliance strengthened their negotiating position with the government.
