ASUU at Unicross Begins Indefinite Strike Over Welfare Issues and Breach of Agreement

By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Cross River (UNICROSS) chapter, has begun an indefinite strike after the university’s management failed to implement the agreed salary structure and other welfare benefits for academic staff.

In a statement issued by its Chairman, Dr Patrick Ushie, the union outlined several demands, including the immediate implementation of the non‑financial components of the 2025 ASUU‑FG renegotiated agreement.

The union also calls for increased government funding for the university and the prompt payment of monthly salaries no later than the third day of each succeeding month.

It further demands the immediate payment of all unpaid salaries and the arrears of the 35 % and 25 % wage awards that have been applied to public universities since January 2023.

“All outstanding arrears of check‑off dues owed to the 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 read.

The union also demands 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.

Dr Ushie said the decision to launch total and indefinite industrial action followed a breakdown in dialogue with university management after several meetings failed to produce results.

“They (Management) told us that their hands are tied as they don’t have the funds to implement our demands,” he said.

“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 added.

“The union also wrote to the Cross River State Governor, but has yet to receive any response,” Dr Ushie noted.

“Until our demands are met in full, the industrial action remains total and indefinitely,” he declared.

Attempts to obtain a response from Vice Chancellor Prof. Francesca Bassey were unsuccessful, as she neither answered her calls nor replied to text messages sent to her mobile number.

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