Joint unions of research institutes vow to sustain strike

The Joint Unions of   Research Institutes made up of the  Non-Academic Staff Union and Academic Staff Union in  research institutes say they will sustain their  indefinite strike.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unions, which also include Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Allied Institutions, had been on strike in the last  three weeks.

A  NAN correspondent, who visited the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Institute of Agricultural Research & Training (IAR&T) and  Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) all in  Ibadan on Tuesday  met the gates locked.

NAN reports that vehicles  were also  not allowed in as offices remained  under lock and key.

The NASU Chairman in NISER, Mr Wole Famoriyo, told NAN that the unions would continue the strike until their demands, which include  adequate funding of research institutes, were met.

“The unresolved issues are payment of 12 months arrears of 53.37 per cent salary increase, withdrawal of circular on non-skipping of grade level and  retirement age of 65 years for non-research staff.

“It also includes establishment of national research institute commission and  release of conditions of service.

“ We have been negotiating with the government since 2011  all to no avail,’’ he said.