Strike grounds National Research Institute

The indefinite strike embarked upon by members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) of the National Root Crops Research Institute, (NRCRI) Umudike, Abia State, over unpaid allowances totaling N280 million and other grievances has grounded the institute. The strike which commenced on Friday led to the shut down of the […]

The indefinite strike embarked upon by members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) of the National Root Crops Research Institute, (NRCRI) Umudike, Abia State, over unpaid allowances totaling N280 million and other grievances has grounded the institute.
The strike which commenced on Friday led to the shut down of the institution.
Addressing the workers,  chairman of the union, Comrade Obi Nwakaego listedtheir grievances to include the removal of 20 percent from workers salaries whichamounted to N280 million among  20 other grievances and vowed never to return to work until their grievances were met by the institute’s management.
The NRCRI branch secretary of NASU, Comrade Israel Ifeanyi, who spoke for the union said that they have been having issues with the Executive Director, Dr Julius Okonkwo, and the management of the institute.
 According to him, since Okonkwo assumed office on July 2, 2012, he started withholding their 20% percent allowances.
 “There is allowance of 20%, part of the salary which workers enjoy, but surprisingly, on December, 2012, he stopped it with reasons that he has a directive from NRCN to stop it. The union asked him to give them a black and white copy of the memo, and he said that it was sent to him through text message,” he said.