The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Non-Teaching Staff Unions, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufo-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi, says its members will down tools until their four months withheld salaries are paid.

The unions include the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).

The unions had directed their members to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike starting Monday (today) due to the non-payment of their four months’ withheld salaries.

Onyebuchi Mpamugo, chairman, SSANU, AE-FUNAI, spoke with journalists on Monday in Abakaliki.

He disclosed that the two unions had issued several notices to the federal government requesting a resolution. ”But the government’s commitment has remained uncertain.’’

Mr Mpamugo said the union members in the school were fully in support of the strike, urging the federal government to expedite action to pay them.

He decried the slow pace of development in the nation’s universities and stressed the need to upgrade infrastructure as education remained pertinent to nation-building.

He said the strike has been long overdue, as they have patiently endured, “but now, we will not go back until our withheld four-month salaries are paid.”

“Series of meetings, letters and other actions have been made, but all to no avail; our members deserve their salaries; we are begging the federal government to pay us,” he said.

In the same vein, Chibuike Igwe, the NASU chairman, disclosed that its members in the school had joined the nationwide strike.

Mr Igwe stressed the need for unity among its members, as freedom comes only by struggle.

He urged the federal government to urgently pay the four months’ withheld salaries of the unions to address the hardship their members face.

(NAN)