Polytechnic Lecturers Temporarily Suspend Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has announced the suspension of its two months strike on Wednesday.

The union made this known in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Abdullahi Yalwa, titled ‘Suspension of the national strike of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics’.

According to the statement, the suspension will last three months.

“The suspension is for a period of three months to enable the government compile the execution of the items contained in the Memorandum of Action signed with the union since April 27, 2021,” the statement said.

ASUP’s demands to the Federal Government had included implementation of new salary scheme, revitalisation of polytechnics, the inauguration of the national commission for polytechnics, implementation of new national minimum wage and payment of arrears, among others.

The union said the Ministry of Education had re-constituted governing councils and visitation panels for the federal polytechnics.

It also said its members received information that the release of funds for infrastructure revitalisation and minimum wage arrears were currently being processed.

“We also acknowledge the recent passage of the bill for removal of the dichotomy against HND holders in the country”, the statement said.

The union said it also recognised the efforts being made to review the Scheme of Service and Conditions of Service for Polytechnics as well as the commencement of work towards resolution of the issues around CONTISS 15 migration arrears for the lower cadre.

“In reaching the decision to suspend the strike, our union took into cognizance the appeals made by the government, revered traditional stools in the country, members of the National Assembly, Chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics and indeed members of the public who showed varied interests in the matter.

“It is the expectation of our union that the suspension of this action will provide an enabling environment for the government to fulfil other aspects of the memorandum of action and afford the government an opportunity to reverse its trust deficit within our sector,” the statement read.