By John Ikani
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has suspended its two-week warning strike and asked members of the union to resume duties on Monday.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the National Publicity Secretary of the union Abdullahi Yalwa.
The union said it took the decision following some progress made with the Federal Government regarding its demands.
It said the decision to resume work was to give the federal government more time to meet the remaining five demands.
What ASUP is saying
The statement reads: “The two weeks definite strike of the union will be rounding off on the 29th of May, 2022 as agreed by the emergency meeting of NEC.
“Consequently, the union is requesting members to resume duties effective 30th of May, 2022 while hoping that government will take advantage of the window to address the five outstanding items.
“Further directives/ updates shall be released after the 103rd meeting of NEC which is scheduled to hold in the month of June, 2022 during which the situation shall be reviewed.”
However, ASUP said there are four more outstanding issues yet to be addressed by the government. This includes the release of the approved N15Bn revitalization fund for the sector.
“This issue is still stuck in the Federal Ministry of Finance with a promise of follow-up action by the Education Ministry,” the statement added.
In case you missed it
It would be recalled that ASUP, on May 16, commenced a two -week definite warning strike following the resolution of its emergency National Executive Council meeting of 11th of May, 2022.
Among the contentious issues are the non-release of the approved revitalisation fund for the sector, non-release of arrears of the new minimum wage, non-release of the reviewed normative instruments for the institution/management and programmes accreditation.
The alleged sustained infractions in implementation of the provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act as amended, is also an issue.
Other demands include the delay in the appointment of reactors, non-release of the scheme of service for polytechnics, continued victimisation of union officers, among others.
