Abia university lecturers commence strike action over unpaid salaries spanning 11 months

Abia State University’s academic and non-academic staff unions have gone on strike because the state government is refusing to cover the outstanding eleven-month salary arrears owed by its members.

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Through their various union representatives, the employees had given the institution’s management a deadline of December 31 to settle the salary arrears or risk industrial action.

According to The Nation, because of the ongoing industrial action, the institution’s students have not yet returned to class following the Christmas and New Year breaks.

Chidi Mbah, the ABSU ASUU Chairman, acknowledged to The Nation that the 11-month salary arrears owing to union members were the cause of the industrial action.

“Since the assumption of the new government, we have not been owed salaries per se, although the December salary was paid some two weeks ago; some have received, while others are yet to receive theirs.

“Government is a continuum, we have already written both the state government and the management since September 26.

“We told them that we would down tools if nothing was done till December 31. That was why we now embarked on the strike.”

“Since the new government took office, we have not been owed paychecks in and of themselves. However, the December salary was paid approximately two weeks ago; some employees have already gotten theirs, while others have not yet received it.

“We have already drafted the state government and the management since September 26. Government is a continuity.

“We threatened to downgrade our operations if nothing was done by December 31. For this reason, we started the strike right away.