Strike Paralyses Academic And Business Activities In Unical

by crossriverwatch admin

The ongoing seven days strike by the three unions of the University of Calabar over unpaid allowances has paralyzed academic and business activities in the University.

When CrossRiverWatch visited the campus Monday, the few students who were seen around said there were returning home because “nothing is going on in campus as you can see”.

The three unions embarked on the strike after what one of the union leaders said was the last option after “exhausting all avenues of negotiations with the management of the university over unpaid allowances”.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria University (SSANU), Non Academic Staff Union of University (NASU) and National Association of Theatre Arts of Universities, had earlier given advanced warning that they would embark on strike if the university authorities fail to settle their outstanding allowances.

In a two paragraph statement signed by the three industrial Unions and made available to newsmen, Egete D.O of SSANU, Ogah Godwin of NASU, and Emo Okon of NAAT, said their action was as a result of the resolution of the General Meeting of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the three Industrial Unions, SSANU, NASU, and NAAT in the University of Calabar held on 12th June 2013.

“The main reason for this seven day warning strike is because the authorities of the university have refused to listen to us and defray all the outstanding allowances owed to our members. They have not taken staff welfare as important. Regarding this, we have severally written letters reminding them about the outstanding allowances and the need for them to take care of staff which they have been overlooking”, he said.

All efforts to speak with the University Public Relations Officer Mr. Eyo Bassey to know the position of the management on the strike were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.