University Of Cross River Union Leaders Claim Responsibility For Workers Protest Over Non Payment Of Salary Arrears

By Ayodele Oni

Industrial unions and management of the University of Cross River state have engaged in trading words over the recent protest by some workers over non payment of backlog of salaries.

Teaching as well as non-teaching staff of the University had protested nonpayment of their salaries by the management of the institution.

The workers carried placards denouncing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Austin Angbah, and calling for his sack.

Reacting, the VC berated the workers’ unions, alleging that they incited their members to take to the streets.

The VC said there was no need for the protest as management has begun to pay the backlog. I don’t know what they are going to ask for because salaries are being paid.”

He explained that the leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), NASU, NAT and SSANU at the institution decided to back out of the protest since the backlog was being paid.

Amgbah alleged that four members hijacked the workers’ union, inciting people to go out to the streets to protest.

“The four persons are not representing the opinion of the Congress. They have taken the law into their own hands. Their national president must hear this.”

However, the chairman of the UNICROSS branch of SSANU, Mac Enang Ayu, denied the accusation of incitement.

He stated that “My members were hungry and didn’t listen to me. The people who protested are not SSANU members but NASU.”

The plight of the workers occassioned by non payment of backlog of salaries attracted the attention of the leadership of the UNICROSS Alumni Association, led by Dr Peter Iyali, that donated bags of rice to the workers and also wrote letters appealing to the state governor to intervene to clear the five-month backlog of salaries.