The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Academic and Non-Academic staff of Bauchi State-owned Tertiary Institutions has resolved to embark on a total, indefinite, and comprehensive strike action over the state government’s refusal to implement the new minimum wage for all workers in tertiary institutions (COMPASS and CONTEDISS).
State JAC chairman Comrade Abubakar Ahmed, who read the communique at the end of the JAC emergency Congress held at the ASUP Secretariat ATAP on Monday, said the total strike will commence on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
He said the Joint Action Committee declared the strike after reviewing the government representatives’ positions on its demands.
Comrade Abubakar said the decision follows the expiration of the two-week warning strike action embarked on by the JAC, which lasted from 16 to 30 December 2024 without any good results from the government representative.
The JAC consists of five higher institutions: Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi; Adamu Tafawa Balewa College of Education, Kangere; A.D Rufai College of Education, Legal and General Studies, Misau; Aminu Saleh College of Education, Azare; Bauchi State College of Agriculture, Bauchi; and Bill and Melinda Gates College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ningi.
The Joint Action Committee expressed its dismay with the approaches of the state government representatives towards resolving its demands.
JAC demands include the non-implementation of the new CONPCASS and CONTEDISS tables as demanded, a lack of substantive and sincere commitment from the Government, and the employment of delay tactics to sabotage the good effort of state governor Bala Mohammed towards ensuring stability, proficiency, and quality service delivery in the State-own tertiary institutions.
Engr Abubakar Ahmed also expressed concern that threats are being made to intimidate the leadership of JAC and its members across all the tertiary institutions in the State.
“Consequently, after reviewing the position of the government representatives, the Congress of the Joint Action Committee resolved to embark on a total, indefinite and comprehensive strike action commencing from Thursday, 2nd January 2025,” he added.
The JAC, however, sympathised with the general public, especially its students and parents, regarding any inconveniences the industrial strike might cause.
“We also wish to assure the general public of our readiness to resume work once our demands are met,” Engr Abubakar concluded.
