Taraba varsity SSANU suspends strike

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Taraba State University, has announced the suspension of its indefinite strike action.

The union also directed all members to resume work immediately.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its 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 reviewed 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 the Union.

It commended Governor Agbu Kefas, the Commissioner for the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Taraba State, and the University Management for graciously responding to its demands during the indefinite strike action that started on 9th December 2024.

“After a careful review 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 for the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Taraba State, and the University Management for graciously responding to our demands during the indefinite strike action that started on 9th December 2024.

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“After a due diligent review of responses from a 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 the Council in 2020 in the ongoing 2023/2024 promotion exercise.

Pension and Gratuity:
“That the Taraba State Government has graciously approved the implementation of the State-defined Pension Scheme for the staff of Taraba State University, including benefits for deceased and retired staff, which 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 have agreed to pay the balance of the 2016 to 2020 promotion arrears when IGR from school fees is available before the end of the 2nd semester of the 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 a 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 a 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 have 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.

Victimization:
“In view of this, no member of the SSANU-TSU Branch shall be victimized, 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 Taraba State University or the Taraba State Government, the Union shall act in accordance with the provisions of its Constitution and the extant laws.

“By this agreement, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Taraba State University Branch, at its Emergency Congress meeting held on Sunday, 26th January 2025, hereby suspends its indefinite strike action with immediate effect. All members are hereby directed to resume work immediately,” the communiqué read.