ASUP suspends strike, says FG showing signs of seriousness

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ASUP suspends strike, says FG showing signs of seriousness

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) on Friday suspended its planned nationwide strike.
The strike was scheduled to commence Monday August 22.

ASUP Zonal Coordinator for Zone B, Comrade Abdullahi Yelwa, told newsmen after its 58th Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) meeting at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, that the federal government has showed seriousness for talks.

“ASUP is only on ‘standby mode’ over the strike action to allow discussion with the government,” he said.

“ASUP will not hesitate in resuming its planned action once it observes lack of commitment in addressing their demands.”

ASUP grievances include non-implementation of the NEEDS Assessment Report 2014, non-payment of salaries in many state-owned polytechnics between 2 to 8 months, shortfalls in personnel allocations to polytechnics as well as unpaid allowances in federal polytechnics since January 2016 and non-release of arrears of promotion.

Other grouse of ASUP include victimization of union officials, non-release of check-off dues and interference in union activities, non-release of visitation panel reports of federal polytechnics since 2011, delay in the review of the Polytechnic Act and non-commencement of the renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN agreement of 2010 which has been due since 2013.

ASUP, however, hailed the federal government for moves to end the dichotomy that had existed between polytechnic graduates and their university counterparts.