By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Taraba State University has announced the suspension of her indefinite strike action.
The union also directed all members to resume work immediately.
In a communique issued at the end of her emergency congress, signed by the Chairperson/JAC Chairman, Comrade Bitrus Joseph Ajibauka, and Secretary, Comrade Mamki Joshua Atein, the union disclosed that the decision followed a carefully review of the Memorandum of Action, signed at the tripartite meeting held on Saturday, 25th January, 2025, between the Ministry of Tertiary Education, the University Management and the Union.
It commended Governor Agbu Kefas, the Commissioner, Ministry of Tertiary Education Taraba state, and the University Management for graciously responding to her demands during the indefinite strike action that started on the 9th December, 2024.
“After a careful reviewed of the Memorandum of Action (MoA) signed at the tripartite meeting held on Saturday, 25th January, 2025 between the Ministry of Tertiary Education, the University Management and SSANU, Taraba state University, we wish to announce the suspension of our indefinite strike action with immediate effect.
“All members are hereby directed to resume work immediately.
“We wish to commend governor Agbu Kefas, the Commissioner, Ministry of Tertiary Education Taraba state, and the University Management for graciously responding to our demands during the indefinite strike action that started on the 9th December, 2024.
“After a due diligent review of responses from series of meetings with the University Management and the Taraba State Government through the Ministry of Tertiary Education on the outstanding demands, parties agreed as follows:
Condition of Service and Guidelines for Appointments and Promotions: “That the Taraba State University Management has agreed to apply the Guidelines for Appointments and Promotions of Senior Non-Academic Staff as approved by Council in 2020, in the ongoing 2023/2024 promotion exercise.
Pension and Gratuity: “That the Taraba State Government has graciously approved the implementation of State defined Pension Scheme for the staff of Taraba State University to include, the benefits for deceased and retired staff that will be promptly computed and paid to them and their families, respectively.
Balance of 2016 to 2020 promotion arrears: “That the Taraba State University Management and the State Government has agreed to pay the balance of the 2016 to 2020 promotion arrears when IGR from school fees are available before the end of 2nd semester, 2023/2024 Academic Session.
Outstanding Salaries/Allowances: “That the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has agreed through its Executive Committee to meet with the Government and the University Management to come up with template and modalities for payment of the arrears by the first week of February, 2025.
Earned Administrative Allowances (EAA): “That the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has agreed through its Executive Committee to meet with the government and the University Management to come up with template and modalities on how the remaining 90% of the total accumulated sum would be paid by the first week of February, 2025.
Implementation of the New National Minimum Wage: “That the Taraba State University Management and the State Government has agreed to sustain the payment of the N70,000 New National Minimum Wage of 2024 as enacted by the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, with the peculiar allowances as paid in November, 2024 – December, 2024 to our members in the University.
Victimisation: “In view of this, no member of the SSANU-TSU Branch shall be victimised either directly or indirectly for participating in the indefinite strike action. Violation of this MoA pursuant to this, in the event of any form of violation of this agreement by the Taraba State University or the Taraba State Government, the Union shall act in accordance with the provisions of her Constitution and the extant laws.
“By this agreement, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Taraba State University Branch, at her emergency congress meeting held on Sunday, 26th January, 2025, hereby suspend her indefinite strike action with immediate effect. All members are hereby directed to resume work immediately,” the communique read.
WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE