Labour Unions in research and allied institutions across the country have commenced a nationwide strike from today (Monday) over an alleged failure of the Federal Government to implement an agreement it made with them since 2009.
The workers under the aegis of the Joint Research and Allied Institutions Sector Unions (JORAISU) said in a statement that the strike would be “indefinite and total.”
JORAISU comprises of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions, Academic Staff Union of College of Agriculture, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Union of Research, Development and Associated Institutions of Nigeria.
The unions said a letter had been written to the Inspector-General of Police to inform him of their plan to picket the affected institutions in protest, “so that the management of the various institutions will not instigate law enforcement agents against them” they warned.
A copy of the letter to the Inspector General of Police, dated August 8, 2012, which was made available to journalists, stated that the picketing was “in line with the Trade Unions Act, CAP T 14a Part V.
JORAISU demands include the backdated implementation of CONRAISS effective from July 1, 2009 and the withdrawal of the circular on non-skipping and retirement age of 65 years.
The union also demanded other peculiar allowances and funding for the research institutes.
