Academic and non-academic activities across all Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions remain grounded following the 14-day warning strike declared by the Joint Action Committee of the state tertiary institutions beginning midnight on June 19.
The affected institutions are the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo and the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic,
The JAC comprises the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Non-Academic Staff Union, National Association of Academic Technologists and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechn
In a communique signed by Chairman, JAC-ODSTI, Olutayo Ogungbeni, and Kunle Akinwonmi, Secretary, JAC-ODSTI, the unions cited failure of the state government to implement the national minimum wage, pay salary arrears, and release outstanding wage awards, among other grievances.
They also highlighted the government’s delay in paying gratuities to retired workers and six months’ unpaid salaries for RUGIPO staf.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Monday, where things stand, the Chairman of JAC, OAUSTECH, Mr Bobola Bamigbola, berated the state government for not being responsive to the demands of the tertiary institutions’ st
He warned that if there is no positive response from the government at the expiration of the warning strike, the workers would begin an indefinite strik
Bamigbola said, “The strike has to do with the subventions the government is giving to the tertiary institutions. The subvention cannot even pay our salaries. For example, in OAUSTECH, our monthly wage bill is N125m, but the government sends N63
“So the school has to internally source N62m to support the N63m from the government. This means most of the IGR of the university is being spent on salary alone. That is the number one problem we are facin
The ongoing strike is 14 days, which will lapse next week. Failure of the government to respond to our demands will likely lead to an indefinite strike
Speaking with The PUNCH on government’s moves, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan assured that the issue would soon be resolved stating that the governor has met with the representatives of the institution.
He said, “The Governor met with their representatives recently and the lingering issues were discussed. A committee was set up to look at those issues and proffer solutions.”
Credit: THE PUNCH
