ASUP Issues 21-Day Ultimatum, Threatens Nationwide Strike

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ASUP Issues 21-Day Ultimatum, Threatens Nationwide Strike


The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to address its outstanding demands within 21 days.

The warning was issued by the Zonal Coordinator of ASUP Zone B, Innocent Simji, during a press briefing in Bauchi on Friday. He said the ultimatum aligns with the resolution of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on August 14.

According to Simji, the decision followed the government’s failure to address critical issues threatening the survival of the polytechnic system.

“The Union at its last emergency NEC meeting resolved to issue a 21-day ultimatum to the government to address some germane issues threatening the survival of the polytechnic sector,” he stated.

He listed the unresolved matters to include:

Non-release of circulars on peculiar academic allowances by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission,

Non-payment of arrears from the 25/35 per cent salary review,Non-implementation of the salary review in state-owned polytechnics,

Delay in granting a dual mandate to end the HND/BSc dichotomy,

Non-release of needs assessment funds for infrastructure,

Outsourcing of the NBTE’s quality assurance functions to unqualified vendors.

Other grievances highlighted by ASUP include the absence of a dedicated commission for polytechnics, unpaid promotion arrears, stalled renegotiation of the 2010 ASUP/FG agreement, and refusal of some states to domesticate the Federal Polytechnics Act.

He also condemned the continued discrimination against HND holders in public service, non-release of CONTISS 15 arrears, militarisation of campuses, and undue interference in union activities, particularly at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede.

“In view of these unresolved issues and the non-committal attitude of the Federal Ministry of Education to genuine dialogue, the Union’s NEC has resolved to issue a 21-day ultimatum,” Simji warned.

“If nothing is done within this period, we will be forced to declare a trade dispute and withdraw the services of our members across all public polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide,” he added.


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