By IBUKUN EMIOLA

Mr. Charles Adebimpe, the Secretary, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Ibadan branch, on Monday said the association’s proposed warning strike could commence on March 18.

Adebimpe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) this would be if members decide to down tools after each of their branch had held congresses across all universities.

He was speaking on the proposed industrial action to demand for their unpaid salaries, in reaction to some reports which stated that the strike has been declared.

“The decision to embark on a seven-day warning strike was a result of a meeting held at Federal University Akure (FUTA) by the Joint Action Committee of both SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).”

The UI-SSANU secretary emphasised the need for the association’s members to be carried along for the strike to produce the desired outcome.

He said this was why there was the need for congresses to be held by members in all universities in Nigeria.

“We have been asked to go to our branches this week. Probably, we are going to have our congresses at various branches across the universities in the country to sensitise our members.

“But it is most likely that the strike will begin on Monday. However, if the Federal Government does the needful before that time, then there is every tendency that we may not go on strike.

“It is the decision of the National Executive Council (NEC). This thing we will be doing it under the aegis of JAC, that is the Joint Action Congress of NASU and SSANU.

”So, we also need their contributions and that one is ongoing. But we are hopeful that they also will concur so that everybody can be on the same page. So, it is most likely that the strike will start on Monday next week,” Adebimpe said.

NAN reports that the proposed warning industrial action is a result of the non-payment of the withheld four months’ salaries of their members, following their 2022 nationwide strike. (NAN)

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