Members of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe chapter in Bayelsa have commenced an indefinite strike over promotion arrears, unpaid academic allowances and poor working conditions.

The decision was contained in a communique signed by the Chairman, Comrade Agada Franklin and General Secretary, Justin Ikirigo made available on Tuesday in Yenagoa

The union said the decision to commence the strike was taken at an emergency congress on Monday over some issues that are detrimental to the members of the union.

It was learnt that a stakeholders meeting led by Amb Godknows Igali, on Monday to convince the aggrieved academic staff to shelve the strike ended in deadlock as the union insisted that only implementation of demands will make them back down.

The meeting attended by Igali, a renowned diplomat was attended by traditional rulers from the Polytechnic communities in Southern Ijaw GA, union leaders, polytechnic management and students representatives was postponed to Tuesday.

The union frowned at the non-implementation of accumulated promotion arrears for the years of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and non-implementation of annual step increment and its arrears from January, 2023 to date.

Other demands by the striking lecturers include the non-implementation of the agreed 2% academic allowance, refusal to pay imprest, infrastructural decay in the campus especially classrooms, desks and teaching aids.

“Arising from the deliberations of the congress, the review of the suspended strike action that was embarked upon on the 6th of August, 2022 but suspended on the 31st of August, 2022, and the subsequent reminders of 6th December, 2022, and 10th March, 2023.

“The following observations were made by the congress as unresolved issues; promotion implementation and arrears for; 2018 promotion arrears, 2019 promotion arrears, 2020 promotion implementation and its arrears, 2021 promotion implementation and its arrears, 2022 promotion implementation and its arrears till date.

“2023 Implementation of annual step increment and its arrears from January, 2023 to date, the agreed 2% academic allowance, Imprest, Infrastructural decay in the campus, classrooms, Desks, and teaching aids.

“Running the institution from the liaison office after one decade of establishment, poor security in the campus, unkempt working environment and poor power supply that cripple academic activities.

“In the light of the above observations, congress resolved that effective on Monday 10th of July, 2023, the union shall embark on an indefinite strike,” the communique read in part.

The Rector, Dr Agbabiaka Adegoke declined comments when contacted and did not respond to telephone calls and short message service requesting his response.

However, several sources confirmed that the Igali led mediatory meeting is still in session.

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