ASUP Suspends Nationwide Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) on Friday suspended the planned nationwide strike action scheduled for today, August 22, 2016.

The disclosure was made by the ASUP Zonal Coordinator for Zone B, Comrade Abdullahi Yelwa during a briefing after its 58th Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) meeting held at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.

According to him, the decision to put the planned strike action on hold was in view of the recent moves being made by the federal government in reaching out to the Union for dialogue over the grievances that led to issuance of one month ultimatum on July 21.

The ASUP zonal coordinator said the next line of action of the union would depend on the outcome of the deliberations between government and the ASUP team.

He said, “The strike notice is still in view depending on the agreement reached with the national president of our union, so the ultimatum is hanging.

“We have mobilised all our state chapters and they are ready in case of any eventuality.”

Amongst the grievances of ASUP 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.

“We have demonstrated enough patience and must act most appropriately in line with our mandate as a trade union.

“If they are not addressed, our members nationwide will be left with no option but to embark on a nationwide strike,” he added.