Gombe tertiary institutions’ unions issue 14-day strike ultimatum

The Joint Union of Gombe State Tertiary Institutions has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Gombe State Government to address outstanding salary adjustments, promotions and other welfare entitlements owed workers in public tertiary institutions across the state.

The unions warned that failure by the government to take “concrete, verifiable and meaningful steps” towards resolving the issues within the stipulated period could lead to further industrial action, including an indefinite strike.

The ultimatum was contained in a communiqué obtained on Tuesday following a joint meeting of the unions held on Friday, August 14.

The Joint Union comprises the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.

The unions acknowledged the efforts of Governor Muhammadu Yahaya in sustaining tertiary education in the state but said several critical welfare issues affecting workers remained unresolved despite repeated engagements with government authorities.

They said the prolonged delay had subjected workers to economic hardship, reduced staff morale and negatively affected the delivery of quality tertiary education.

Among their demands is the implementation of the consolidated ₦70,000 national minimum wage and its consequential adjustments for workers in public tertiary institutions in the state.

They also demanded the implementation of the approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent CONPCASS/CONTISS salary adjustments applicable to tertiary institution workers.

Other demands include payment of outstanding consequential adjustments arising from the ₦30,000 minimum wage, including accrued arrears, as well as approved wage awards, palliatives and other relief measures introduced to cushion the effects of subsidy removal and economic hardship.

The unions further demanded the implementation of outstanding staff promotions and payment of promotion arrears, some of which they said had accumulated for several years.

They also called for the payment of annual salary increments due to eligible workers, as well as the approved CATA and CONTTA allowances for staff of public tertiary institutions in the state.

The communiqué stated, “The continued failure to address these legitimate entitlements has placed an unacceptable financial burden on workers and their families over the years. It has also adversely affected staff welfare, morale, productivity, and industrial relations within the tertiary education sector.

“We demand the implementation of the consolidated ₦70,000 national minimum wage and its consequential adjustments for staff of public tertiary institutions in the state. We also demand the implementation of the approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent CONPCASS/CONTISS salary adjustments applicable to tertiary institution workers.”

Issuing the ultimatum, the unions said, “JOUGTIN hereby issues a fourteen (14) day ultimatum to the Gombe State Government, effective from the date of this communiqué, to take concrete, verifiable, and meaningful steps towards resolving the outstanding welfare issues enumerated above.”

The unions stressed that the ultimatum was not intended to undermine their relationship with the state government, saying they remained committed to dialogue and peaceful engagement.

“JOUGTIN remains committed to dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful engagement. The issuance of this ultimatum is therefore not intended to undermine the cordial relationship between the Union and the Government, but to draw attention to the urgent need for decisive action on matters that have remained outstanding for an extended period,” the communiqué stated.

However, the unions warned that failure to address the issues within the 14-day period would result in an indefinite strike without further notice.

“However, should the Government fail to take satisfactory and concrete steps within the fourteen (14) days stipulated above, the Union shall be compelled to take further legitimate industrial action, including the commencement of an indefinite strike, without further notice,” they said.

The unions expressed hope that the state government would respond positively to their demands in the interest of industrial harmony, staff welfare and uninterrupted academic activities.

They also appealed to parents, students, traditional and community leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support efforts to resolve the dispute.