ASUP call-off strike, orders lecturers to resume classes tomorrow
EMERGENCY DIGEST- The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has directed its members to resume work on Monday, 30, May 2022 following the expiration of its two weeks strike.
The union said it took the decision following some progress made with the Federal Government regarding its demands.
ASUP, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Abdullahi Yalwa disclosed that the government had met four of its demands.
It, therefore, said the decision to resume work was to give the federal government more time to meet the remaining five demands.
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 the 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.”
ASUP, on May 16, commenced a two weeks definite warning strike following the resolution of its emergency National Executive Council meeting on the 11th of May, 2022.
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The union had said the decision was taken to protest the lethargic attitude of the government towards fulfilling some aspects of the memorandum of action (MoA) signed in 2021.
Within the period of the action, the government commenced the payment of arrears of the new minimum wage in all affected Federal Polytechnics.
The government also approved and released regulatory instruments for accreditation of institutions, management, and programmes.
Also, a decision was taken on the vexed issue of victimisation of union officials in the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, where five ASUP members were dismissed due to their participation in the 2017 strike of the Union.
And the issue of continued infractions in the Federal Polytechnics Act as typified by the release of a contentious template for the appointment of principal officers by the Federal Ministry of Education was also handled as the document is due to be withdrawn as agreed.
Outstanding demands of ASUP include the release of the approved N15bn revitalization fund for the sector; the release of arrears of CONTISS 15 migration for the lower cadre and the release of the Scheme of Service and Conditions of Service.
Others include continued delay in the appointment of substantive Rectors for Federal Polytechnics in Mubi, Offa, and Kaduna and resolution of issues with members in Colleges of Agriculture.
