University of Cross River ASUU declares strike over welfare concerns

The University of Cross River (UNICROSS) chapter of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has declared an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues and the failure of the institution’s management to implement the salary structure.

Patrick Ushie, the ASUU chapter chairman at the University of Cross River in a statement listed several demands, including the implementation of the non-financial components of the 2025 ASUU-FG renegotiated agreement without further delay.

“All outstanding arrears of check-off dues owed ASUU-UNICROSS branch and ASUU national from 2017 amounting to N11.9 million, as well as current deductions for two months (December 2024 and November 2025) should be remitted without further delay,” the statement said.

The union said the decision followed prolonged concerns over poor working conditions, unpaid entitlements, and the alleged failure of the university management and relevant authorities to address staff demands.

The industrial action is expected to disrupt academic activities across the institution until meaningful steps are taken to resolve the dispute.

The union is also demanding increased government funding to the university and prompt payment of monthly salaries not later than the third day of each succeeding month.

The lecturers further called for the immediate payment of all unpaid salaries and arrears of the 35 and 25 percent wage awards implemented in public universities since January 2023.

Besides, they are demanding payment of “outstanding promotion arrears and earned academic allowances accrued from July 2011 to December 2017 of the 2009 FG-ASUU agreement” to eligible staff.

Ushie said the decision to embark on the total and indefinite industrial action followed the breakdown of dialogue with the university management after several meetings failed to yield results.

“They, the management, told us that their hands are tied as they don’t have the funds to implement our demands.

“Management told us that they currently receive N300 million as subvention from the government and would need an additional N200 million to meet our demands,” he said.

In addition, he said, “The union also wrote to the Cross River State governor, but has yet to receive any response. Until our demands are met in full, the industrial action remains total and indefinitely.”