By Victor Ahiuma-Young
SENIOR Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), has issued the Federal Government a 15-day ultimatum to address the exclusion of its members in the research institutes, projects and federal colleges of agriculture in the on-going negotiation for improved conditions of service or risk an indefinite strike.

In a petition to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Yahale Ahmed, National Secretary of SSAUTHRIAI, Comrade M. O. Akinade, noted that the association was compelled to bring to the notice of SGF the exclusion of research institutes, projects and federal colleges of agriculture in the country in the on-going negotiation on the new salary structure, allowances and other conditions of work by the Federal Government.

According to the petition, “This action of the Federal Government is contrary to the expectation of the staff of these institutions, especially members of SSAUTHRIAI moreso, that as far back as twenty (20) years, universities, teaching hospitals and research institutes have been enjoying the salary structure.

“It is pertinent to disclose that placement of the aforementioned Federal Government tertiary institutions on the same salary structure was consequent on the acceptance of the recommendations of Presidential Commission appointed by the Federal Government after it has been established that the functions and objectives of universities, teaching hospitals and research institutes are similar.

“If the Federal Government has deemed it fit to appoint negotiation teams for universities and teaching hospitals on the new salary structure and improved conditions of service and moreso that negotiation has been concluded or near conclusion, there is no justifiable reason for the Federal Government not to appoint a negotiation team for research institutes, projects and federal colleges of agriculture.”

The action of the Federal Government in excluding the Research Institutes, Projects and Federal Colleges of Agriculture in the on-going negotiation on the salary, allowances and other conditions of work has generated tension gravitating towards industrial action.

Unless a positive action is taken by the Federal Government within fifteen (15) days effective from the date of this letter, the SSAUTHR1AI may not be in a position to prevent the entire workers in those Institutions from going on strike at the expiration of the fifteen (15)days given to the Government.”