Support staff at the University of Bamenda (UBa) have issued a strike notice, citing persistent salary delays, poor working conditions, and a lack of concern from the administration.
The strike notice, issued by the National Syndicate of Workers of State Universities (NATUSSCU), through its Bamenda regional bureau, outlines a number of grievances, including:
- Persistent delays in salary payments: Support staff have experienced significant financial hardship due to late payments, leading to frustration and negative impacts on their well-being.
- Poor working conditions for campus police and cleaners: These staff members lack adequate equipment and resources to carry out their duties effectively. Campus police are reportedly providing their own uniforms, while cleaners are contributing personal funds to purchase cleaning supplies. This has compromised safety and hygiene standards on campus.
- Lack of health insurance coverage for support staff: Unlike teaching staff, support staff do not have health insurance coverage, leaving them vulnerable to financial burdens in case of medical needs.
- Denial of general assembly rights: Support staff have been denied the opportunity to hold general assemblies, which are required by labor law to be held at least twice a year. This has led to feelings of disenfranchisement and frustration.
NATUSSCU has called on the administration to engage in meaningful dialogue to address these concerns and avert a strike. They have requested urgent action to rectify the issues outlined in the notice and have expressed their willingness to negotiate a fair resolution.
“We believe that the concerns mentioned above are of utmost importance and require urgent attention,” the strike notice states. “We strongly wish that you engage in discussions with our representatives to negotiate a fair resolution that addresses the grievances of Support Staff.”
The strike is set to commence on January 10th if the administration of the University of Bamenda fails to make substantial progress in addressing the grievances.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
