UNICROSS lecturers resume indefinite strike over unpaid salaries

Lecturers at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) have resumed an indefinite strike, with their union saying September and October salaries remain unpaid.

The university confirmed that an emergency congress of its Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) branch in Calabar, Cross River State, voted on Monday to restart the action.

The union has directed members to stop teaching and supervision until its grievances are addressed, branch chairperson Patrick Ushie said in remarks reported by Punch.

Ushie said Governor Bassey Otu had promised that the state government would begin implementing the financial components of the union’s demands within 90 days. The dispute also concerns outstanding welfare demands under the renegotiated 2025 agreement between the federal government and ASUU.

Vice-Chancellor Francisca Bassey, who attended the congress, appealed for more time. She said Otu had approved salary payments and the state’s accountant-general had assured her that October salaries would be paid before the close of business on Monday.

Ushie told Punch the union had heard only rumours of an approval, with nothing in writing. “He gave approval three months ago, and obviously I have not been paid also,” he said.

The university said the state government had undertaken to pay staff salaries for October, November and December directly through the accountant-general’s office.

The earlier strike began on 19 May and was suspended on 21 July. The university said members would reconvene to consider suspending the renewed action once October salary payments were confirmed. Ushie told Punch the lecturers would resume work once salaries were paid.

Sources: University of Cross River State; Punch; Leadership