By Akinwale Kasali
The Federal Government has appealed to the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, to rescind their decision and call off their seven-day warning strike which began on Monday.
Prior to the commencement of the seven-day warning strike, the Unions had warned the Federal Government to do the needful and address the situation earnestly before they embarked on the warning strike.
The Union were lamenting over their four-month salaries withheld by the FG.
However, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State, Labour and Employment has made an appeal to the Unions to quash their decision.
In a statement signed by Olajide Oshundun, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, Onyejeocha expressed displeasure at the action of the unions, which she described as a total disregard of Federal Government’s concerted effort to address the concerns of the unions.
According to her, the Ministry was not officially notified by the Unions of their intention to proceed on a seven-day warning strike.
“”This is contrary to the provisions of section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act.
“The Ministry got wind of the intended warning strike and it reached out to the leadership of the unions for an emergency meeting in order to avert the strike.
“Unfortunately, a physical meeting could not be arranged between the Unions and the Federal Government, but a tele-discussion took place between their leadership and the Ministry,” she said.
Onyejeocha said that consequently, the Ministry suggested another date, Monday 18th March, for a proper conciliation meeting.
She added that this was in the belief that on the basis of that discussion, the intended strike would be put on hold pending the outcome of the meeting; but this date was rejected by the Unions.
The Minister, however, maintained that strike did not serve any useful purpose and should only be resorted to as a last option after exhausting every conciliation effort.
Onyejocha appealed to SSANU and NASU to step back from their hard-line stance and meet the Federal Government at the table for conciliation.
She appealed to all Nigerians to always take steps that were beneficial to the well-being of the country and the citizens.
