Members of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Ebonyi State College of Education chapter, have declared a fresh seven-day warning strike in protest against poor working conditions and welfare.

The union had earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum to the college management and the Ebonyi State Government, which expired last week without any resolution. According to the union, the situation has caused severe hardship among staff, with eight members reportedly dying last year due to inability to afford proper medical care.

Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, the union chairman, Nnachi Ama, revealed that at least seven lecturers are currently battling serious health conditions but cannot access treatment due to low earnings.

He explained that the institution still operates on about 87 percent of the 2010 salary structure, unlike other colleges that have adopted the 2024 structure. He added that staff members are still paid a minimum wage of ₦30,000, far below the ₦70,000 national benchmark, with some even earning less.

Ama also lamented that staff entitled to pensions and gratuities are often denied these benefits upon retirement, worsening their living conditions. He noted that many deaths recorded among staff were linked to treatable illnesses that could not be managed due to financial constraints.

The union accused the college management of failing to take steps to address the crisis or engage the state government for a lasting solution. It also alleged that while academic staff struggle, management staff continue to receive full salaries.

Following the expiration of the earlier ultimatum without progress, COEASU announced a seven-day warning strike, demanding immediate implementation of the 2024 CONPASS salary structure and full payment of staff salaries.

The union further urged the college authorities to urgently engage the state governor to resolve issues relating to salaries, pensions, and gratuities, warning that failure to act could lead to a full-scale industrial action.