In a bold move, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Imo State University (ASUU-IMSU), has launched an indefinite strike, citing unresolved issues that have plagued the institution for years.
The key demands fueling this industrial action include an end to what they describe as "promotion without financial benefits" since 2016, salary disparities between ASUU-IMSU staff and their counterparts in other Nigerian tertiary institutions, and an undue delay in staff assessment and promotion.
Speaking on behalf of the union, a spokesperson lamented the selective payment of salaries and the non-payment of arrears that have continued to demoralize the academic workforce.
"It is unacceptable that, for years, we have seen promotions on paper that do not translate to financial upliftment," the representative said. "We demand immediate action to rectify these imbalances and injustices."
The strike comes after several failed attempts at negotiations with the university's management and state government.
Staff members argue that the selective payment of salaries and delays in benefits have severely affected their morale and commitment to delivering quality education.
The union is also calling for the immediate harmonization of salaries with other tertiary institutions to end the inequality they face.
"We have been left behind, while others enjoy better remuneration and working conditions," another union member emphasized.
As the strike enters its early days, students are left in limbo, uncertain when academic activities will resume.
Many have voiced their frustration, while the union stands firm, insisting that the strike will continue until their demands are met in full.
With no resolution in sight, the ASUU-IMSU strike marks yet another chapter in the ongoing struggle between Nigerian university staff and the government over equitable pay and working conditions.
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