Strike: Plateau university workers issue 7-day ultimatum to government

Workers of Plateau State University (PLASU) have given the state government seven days to improve funding of the institution or face an indefinite strike.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) of the institution gave the ultimatum in a notice of strike that they addressed to the vice-chancellor.

The notice of strike, jointly signed by the Chairman of NASU, Rwang Pam, and Chairman of SSANU, Rimdap Timnan, said the decision was taken at the JAC meeting held on Monday.

“Kindly recall our letter to you dated December 14, 2020 and our letters to the Plateau State Head of Service dated November 25 and December 14, 2020 that you were copied.

“In the letters among many other issues, we expressed our deep concern over the abject underfunding of the university by the Government of Plateau.

“The poor funding has prevented the university from fulfilling its welfare obligations to members of staff.

“Congress, therefore, resolved that a seven-day ultimatum be issued to further give Plateau Government the opportunity to do the needful.

“Accordingly, JAC should not be held responsible for breakdown of industrial harmony if the government fails to increase the subvention of the university within seven days,” the document said.

The unions listed issues to be addressed to include implementation of the new national minimum wage and payment of arrears as well as payment of Earned Allowances owed NASU and SSANU members.