Tension builds as ASUP threatens strike

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address a list of unresolved demands or face a nationwide industrial action.

The decision was reached during the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Thursday. ASUP warned that failure to meet the demands within the stipulated time frame could result in the withdrawal of services by its members across all public polytechnics and monotechnics in the country.

ASUP President, Mr. Shammah S. Kpanja, who addressed journalists at the end of the meeting, stated: “A failure to utilise this window may lead to the declaration of a trade dispute and withdrawal of services of our members across public polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide.”

The union is demanding action on 13 outstanding issues, including: the non-release of a circular by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) covering the Peculiar Academic Allowance,  non-payment of arrears from the 25% and 35% salary review and non-implementation in state-owned polytechnics, delay in granting dual mandate status to polytechnics and non-release of the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment intervention fund.

It also demands action on non-payment of promotion arrears and failure to implement promotions in many state-owned institutions,  renegotiation of the 2010 ASUP/FGN agreement. Failure by state-owned polytechnics to domesticate key provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act.

ASUP wants action taken on the continued discrimination against Higher National Diploma (HND) holders in the public sector and the stalled discussions on the release of CONTISS 15 arrears.