The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) in Yobe State has given the state government a 14-day ultimatum to address outstanding welfare demands affecting non-academic workers in state-owned tertiary institutions.
The union said the demands include the implementation of the 65-year retirement age, a reviewed salary structure and the approval of outstanding allowances.
NASU State Chairman, Comrade Ali Usman, announced the ultimatum in a statement following a union meeting at its secretariat in Damaturu.
The union is demanding the implementation of the revised Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS), the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA) and the applicable Earned Allowance (EA) for non-academic staff.
NASU expressed concern that the Yobe State Government had approved the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) for academic staff but had yet to approve corresponding benefits for non-academic workers.
The union said both categories of workers submitted their requests jointly under the Joint Academic and Non-Academic Staff Union (JANASU).
It acknowledged the importance of supporting academic staff but maintained that non-academic employees also play essential roles in administration, technical operations, management and the daily running of tertiary institutions.
“The continued delay in resolving these issues has generated dissatisfaction among members and risks undermining staff morale and industrial harmony within the affected institutions,” the statement said.
NASU urged the state government to demonstrate its commitment to workers’ welfare by resolving the outstanding demands within the stipulated period.
It warned that if the government fails to address the issues by next month, the union will reconvene to review the situation and determine its next course of action in line with labour laws and established procedures.
The union, however, stressed that it was not seeking confrontation but a fair and lasting resolution of the disputes.
It added that it remained open to constructive engagement with the government to prevent industrial tension and possible disruption of academic activities.
