Leadership of labour unions in government-owned tertiary institutions in Delta State, have issued a 21-day ultimatum to management of the schools, with effect from Friday, July 5, 2024, to implement the reviewed salary structure along with the accrued arrears; failing which the unions will simultaneously embark on industrial actions.
The unions, in a letter informing the Commissioner, Higher Education, of the ultimatum, also appealed to the state government to implement the reviewed consolidated salaries for tertiary institutions and pay all accrued arrears owed them.
In a press statement signed in Abraka at the end of an emergency meeting by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU); Delta State University, Abraka and University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor, National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-Academic Staff Union and Associated Institutions (NASU) Delta State University, Abraka, Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Mosogar and Warri, Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education (SSUCOEN), Warri and Mosogar, Non-Academic Staff Union and Associated Institutions (NASU), Warri, Mosogar, Ogwashi-Uku, Burutu and Otefe-Oghara and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) Ogwashi-Uku, Burutu and Otefe-Oghara, they regretted that Delta State non-teaching staff were yet to benefit from the implementation.
The Chairman, SSANU-DELSU, Comrade Monday Izu, on behalf of the unions, said “ We are here to consider government’s response to our requests with regards to the implementation of the reviewed Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS), which was approved by the Presidency, through the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, for the workers of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
“That with effect from January 1, 2023, the Presidency, through the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, approved the implementation of the reviewed CONTISS for tertiary institutions.
“Unfortunately, as of today, no state owned tertiary institution in Delta State has implemented the reviewed CONTISS. Meanwhile, the federal government has implemented for all federal tertiary institutions. In addition, even some states have implemented for their workers and here we are bemoaning our situation, waiting patiently and even endlessly for the state government to do same.
“So, none of the institutions have implemented in the state, neither have we received any words of encouragement or any dependable promise as to when and how they want to pay us.
“We have demanded severally before without success and today we are demanding again with a clause of 21 days ultimatum with effect from July 5, 2024.
“We have shown greater understanding and given them all the assistance they need. We have written again today with the hope that the government will meet our earnest demands.”
