The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Taraba State University chapter, has announced it will continue its indefinite strike until all its demands are fully met by the state government.
In a statement issued on January 10, 2025, following an emergency congress meeting, the union’s Chairperson, Comrade Bitrus Joseph Ajibauka, reiterated the position of the union, emphasizing that despite some progress in negotiations, the strike would persist until the full resolution of their outstanding issues.
“While we commend the state government for addressing some of our demands, we wish to make it clear that the indefinite strike will continue until all our demands are fully implemented,” the statement read.
Key demands include the payment of unpaid salaries for September and October 2022, as well as withheld portions of salaries from June, November, and December 2022. The union also insisted that the state government pay 50% of the outstanding Earned Administrative Allowances (EAA), which amounts to approximately 693 million naira. The remaining balance, the union stated, should be paid within three months starting from February 2025.
Additionally, SSANU has rejected the retroactive application of the 2012 Criteria and Guidelines for Appointments, Appraisal, and Promotions of Senior Non-Academic Staff, demanding that the guidelines approved by the University Council in 2020 be used instead. The union also called for the completion of payment for promotion arrears from 2016 to 2020.
In terms of pension benefits, the union commended the state government for initiating work on the University Pension Scheme and expressed support for the State Pension Scheme, while recommending the establishment of a Tertiary Education Pension Board.
SSANU also praised the state government for implementing the N70,000 National Minimum Wage of 2024 and the payment of peculiar allowances. However, they emphasized that the ongoing strike is not related to the peaceful demonstration by students, which was recently averted.
The union’s position remains firm, with the strike set to continue until all of its demands are addressed.