The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has given the Federal
Government a 21-day ultimatum to either meet its demands or risk industrial
action.
The strike notice, which was written to the Minister of Labour and
Employment, Chris Ngige, dated October 9, 2017 and signed by the President of
ASUP, Usman Dutse, said the union was left with no choice than to embark on the
action due to deteriorating working conditions in the polytechnics across the
country.
Usman said a meeting held on August 22, 2017 with the Minister of
Education, Adamu Adamu, who promised to address the challenges in the
polytechnics within one month, had not materialized.
He noted that the issues in contention include: Non-implementation of the
report of the NEEDS assessment survey of Polytechnics; sustained shortfalls in
personnel releases and withdrawal of allowances since December 2015.
Others are non-payment of staff salaries in some state-owned
institutions; non-release of CONTISS 15 migration arrears; infractions in the
appointment process of Rectors; non-passage of the amendment bill of the
Polytechnics Act and the continued victimisation of union officials.
ASUP said Adamu had directed a review of the report in line with
inflationary trends before the transmission of the NEEDS assessment report to
the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval; there is no indication that
the document’s movement to FEC for necessary action.
The union also accused some state-owned polytechnics of non-payment of
staff salaries, which has continued in spite of repeated calls by the union for
needed intervention.
It mentioned Abia that currently owes nine months while Edo, Kogi, Oyo,
Benue, Osun, Imo, Plateau and Bayelsa owe between eight and four months. It
revealed that check-off dues of the union in the states including Rivers State
were equally being withheld.
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