The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has threatened to embark on another nationwide strike over the federal government’s failure to implement its agreements with the union in a bid to enhance the working conditions of its members.
ADULAWO NEWS reports that ASUP issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government on Thursday during a press conference in Kaduna.
Comrade Abubakar J. Abdullahi, the Chairman of the Kaduna Polytechnic Chapter of ASUP, while updating union members on the resolutions made during the Union’s 111th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which took place on October 6, 2024, in Abuja, indicated that the 15-day countdown began on October 7, 2024, and upon the conclusion of this period, the NEC will reconvene to determine the appropriate course of action.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s sluggish response and apparent lack of urgency in fulfilling the agreements established with ASUP.
Members nationwide voiced considerable concern regarding the Federal Government’s inaction, noting that some agreements have been pending since 2010.
“It is important to emphasize, for the public’s awareness, that these agreements are intended to improve working conditions within our institutions and create a more conducive environment for teaching, learning, skill acquisition, and research.
“It is only after exhausting nearly all avenues for amicable resolution that the NEC of our Union has decided to issue a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government. This 15-day period commenced on October 7, 2024.
“The Union has directed all its local chapters and zones to prepare for protests, media campaigns, and other peaceful actions during this period, while hoping that the Federal Government will utilize the 15-day window to address the issues and prevent a potential shutdown of all polytechnics across the nation,” he said.
He indicated that the decision stems directly from an evaluation of the government’s response, as highlighted by the Ministry of Education, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the Governing Councils of various polytechnics concerning the Union’s interactions.
In particular, the 111th National Executive Council (NEC) resolved to call for an immediate reassessment and annulment of all decisions made by the Government, NBTE, or Governing Councils that contradict the stipulations of the Federal Polytechnics Act (Amended) 2019.
Additional demands include the prompt resolution and payment of the long-standing CONTISS-15 migration arrears for lower cadre staff, the recommencement and conclusion of the renegotiation process regarding the ASUP and Federal Government agreement from 2010, and the immediate release of the updated conditions of service for the polytechnic sector, among other requests.
He urged for the swift implementation of promotions and the payment of all accumulated promotion arrears in state-owned institutions, as well as the disbursement of outstanding promotion arrears in federal institutions and colleges of education.