Umaru Musa Yar’adua University staff under the umbrella of the joint congresses of the four in-house unions have commenced a two-weeks warning strike effective November 3.
Dr Murtala Abdullahi, Chairman, Academic Staff Union (ASUU), UMYU chapter made this disclosure in a statement released on Wednesday in Katsina.
The other unions are the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, National Association of Academic Technologists, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.
Dr. Abdullahi explained that despite forwarding a comprehensive list of demands to the University Governing Council and the state government, the requests have been largely ignored.
”We also made it clear that the unions had reached an understanding with the government, through its representatives, on all the issues, with commitments on the part of the authorities to address the concerns of our members.
“These issues, it should be recalled, border on condition of service and the future of our teeming members, as well as the security of our examinations/records and autonomy of the university.
“However, it is regrettable to inform you that none of these agreements and understandings reached have been fulfilled by the state government,” he said
“This continued disregard on the part of the state government clearly demonstrates a lack of seriousness and responsibility in addressing the plight of our members.
“In light of this and after due consultations and extensive deliberations, the congresses of the four unions have resolved to embark on a two-week warning strike.
“This is in order to further drive home our legitimate demands and compel the state government to wake up to its duties by demonstrating a genuine commitment to resolving the issues at hand.
“We wish to make it clear that this action is not taken out of pleasure or haste, but as a last resort after all the avenues of dialogue and understanding have been exhausted.
“We sincerely appeal to our students, parents, the Katsina community and the nation at large for understanding and support. Our struggle is in the collective interest of quality education and the future of our children,” Abdullahi said.
