Labour unions at the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State, comprising of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), on Wednesday, April 7, embarked on an indefinite strike over unpaid salaries and other issues.
The Chairman of the Joint Action Congress (JAC) in Okitipupa, Mr. Temidayo Temola, in a statement, issued on April 7, disclosed that the union leaders resolved to embark on the industrial action following a congress meeting on April 6.
The statement cited the inability of the management of the university to meet the demands of the unions on the payment of salaries from November 2020 till date, non-remittance of over 22 months pension deductions coupled with non-implementation of minimum wage as well as non-payment of earned allowances, amongst others, as the reason for the strike.
The unions further declared that they will not relent on the indefinite strike until their demands are met.
The institution’s Registrar, Mr. Ganiyu Saliu, while reacting to the development said that the management was aware of the strike, and attributed the inability of the government to meet the union’s demand to the effect of COVID-19 and the shortfall in the government’s grants which could no longer meet the university’s responsibilities.