The Calabar Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has raised concerns over a possible indefinite strike across state-owned universities, citing the Federal Government’s failure to implement agreements, unpaid allowances, and what it described as persistent neglect of staff welfare.
The zone covers academic staff in public universities across Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, and Cross River states within parts of the South-East and South-South regions. In a statement issued after its zonal meeting held Tuesday in Calabar, and signed by Zonal Coordinator Ikechuku Igwenyi alongside branch chairpersons, the union said it could no longer assure industrial peace in Abia State University, Akwa Ibom State University, Ebonyi State University, and the University of Cross River State.
According to the union, the affected institutions have largely failed to implement the provisions of the 2009 agreement reached between ASUU and the Federal Government, with only partial compliance recorded at the University of Cross River State. ASUU warned that continued disregard for signed agreements and poor welfare conditions could trigger a total and indefinite industrial action across the affected universities.
The union said despite years of patience and restraint by its members, working conditions within the institutions have become increasingly unbearable. Among its key grievances are the non-payment of earned academic allowances, failure to implement the 25/35 per cent wage award, lack of consequential adjustment tied to the new minimum wage, and the non-implementation of recently agreed academic tools and professorial allowances.
The union also condemned recurring salary payment delays, saying they have created serious financial difficulties for lecturers and negatively impacted productivity.It further accused university administrations of withholding third-party deductions, including union check-off dues, cooperative savings, pension contributions, and welfare-related payments. ASUU cited the University of Cross River State as an example, alleging that deductions covering 24 months of union dues, welfare contributions, special support levies, and National Housing Fund remittances dating back to 2018 have been withheld.
The union lamented that rising inflation has pushed university workers into severe economic hardship, making it increasingly difficult for members to meet basic obligations such as rent, medical expenses, and school fees.It stressed that the dispute goes beyond financial demands, describing it as a struggle for the survival of the university system. ASUU called on both federal and state governments to take urgent steps to address the issues and avert a shutdown, urging parents, students, traditional rulers, and the public to hold the affected state governments accountable should the strike commence.
Source: https://punchng.com/
