Workers in Gombe State’s public tertiary institutions may embark on an indefinite strike if the state government fails to address outstanding salary adjustments, promotion arrears and other welfare concerns within 14 days.
The Joint Union of Gombe State Tertiary Institutions (JOUGTIN) issued the ultimatum following a joint meeting held on August 14, warning that failure to see “concrete, verifiable and meaningful steps” could trigger further industrial action.
Unions demand unpaid entitlements
The coalition comprises academic and non-academic unions representing workers in the state’s colleges of education and polytechnics.
Among their major demands is the implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage and its consequential adjustments for workers in public tertiary institutions.
The unions are also demanding the implementation of approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent CONPCASS/CONTISS salary adjustments, as well as payment of outstanding arrears linked to previous minimum wage adjustments.
Other demands include:
- Payment of outstanding promotion arrears.
- Implementation of approved staff promotions.
- Payment of annual salary increments.
- Payment of approved CATA and CONTTA allowances.
- Payment of outstanding wage awards and palliatives.
- Implementation of other relief measures introduced to cushion economic hardship.
‘Workers are under financial pressure’
The unions said prolonged delays in settling the entitlements had placed significant financial pressure on workers and their families.
They also warned that the situation was affecting staff morale, productivity and the quality of tertiary education across the state.
According to the unions, their action is not intended to damage their relationship with the Gombe State Government but to push for urgent resolution of issues that have remained outstanding for an extended period.
14 days to resolve the crisis
JOUGTIN has given the state government 14 days from the date of its communiqué to take concrete steps towards resolving the outstanding issues.
The unions maintained that they remained committed to dialogue and peaceful engagement but warned that failure to meet their demands would result in an indefinite strike without further notice.
They appealed to the government, parents, students, traditional leaders, community leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to intervene and help prevent an industrial crisis.
The clock is now ticking: Gombe tertiary institutions have 14 days to avert another major disruption to academic activities.
