The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics commences strike

The Academic state union of polytechnics

(ASUP) has commenced an indefinite strike over non-implementation of their demands by the federal government.

Anderson Ezeibe, president of the union, announced this at a press briefing in Abuja this morning. He however addressed newsmen to declare the full fledged industrial action, the leadership of ASUP accused the federal and state government of their neglect towards the educational sector in general and the polytechnic education in particular.

Ezeibe also disclosed that the resolution of members is to shut down polytechnics across the country till the federal government meets their demands.

The ASUP president declared that the strike became vital after the expiration of the demand it gave the FG last year to improve the poor condition of polytechnics in the country. The union had clearly made it’s request known to the ministries of education, state governors and other significant bodies; however no action was taken to solve the matter.

Among the union’s grievances are as follows:

1. Nonimplementation of the NEEDS assessment report of 2014 in the sector not release of any revitalization fund to the sector despite assurances since 2017.

2. Non-reconstitution of governing councils in Federal Polytechnics and many state owned polytechnics has led to the disruption of governance and administrative processes in the polytechnics since May 2020.

3. Undermined renegotiation of the union’s 2010 agreement with the government as such was unilaterally suspended by the government for over 2years

4. Continued victimization of officials of the union as seen in Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu; Federal Polytechnic, Mubi; as well as Rufus Goes Polytechnic, Owo.

5. Non-release of the 10-month arrears of minimum wage not paid to the union members in Federal Polytechnics and nonimplementation of this in some state owned polytechnics.

ASUP’s strike arrives barely three months after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), called off its nine month strike over unpaid allowance.