Strike Rocks FUK, Gombe

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) last Monday embarked on a warning strike to protest their unpaid salaries and the shortfall in salaries payment.

Speaking on the development, the striking workers of Federal University Kashere (FUK) tuesday said their decision was to press home their demands October salary and the shortfall in August salary

The association said two attempts to dialogue with the Vice Chancellor of the institution on the matter were thwarted.

They said they would be back to their duty post after the payment, and a meeting with the school management, while assuring the school of their preparedness to dialogue on the matter.

JAC’s position paper presented after a meeting of the congress reads: “Congress has empowered us to embark on warning strike from November 6, until when the October salary is fully paid.
According to him, “Until balance of the underpayment of August salary is paid to our members who have not received their balance.
“After the payments, we will return to work after an expanded meeting with between us, the management and the representatives of our national bodies to address other issues concerning our members in the university.”

The documents as jointly signed by leaders of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) indicated that JAC, the unions’ umbrella body sought audience with the vice chancellor on October 31 and November 3 on the matters but were ignored.

Responding, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere (FUK), Professor Alhassan Gani, said the delay in payment of salary was not a new development and wonder why the workers were taking it that far.
He said the delay this time is occasioned by the malfunction in the upgrading Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

Gani said the management cannot stop whoever wanted to go on strike, but stressed the need to observe the rules.
“We can’t stop those who want to go on strike, but there are laid down rules for going on strike and if those rules and regulations are not followed, the federal government rule will apply,” he said.

The VC further explained that besides the problem with GIFMIS, a September 20 letter from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation had threatened that there would be no salary for those who did not refund the second fold of May salary which was paid twice.