The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has given the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum to either meet its demands or risk industrial action.

The strike notice, which was written to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, dated October 9, 2017 and signed by the President of ASUP, Usman Dutse, said the union was left with no choice than to embark on the action due to deteriorating working conditions in the polytechnics across the country.

Usman said a meeting held on August 22, 2017 with the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who promised to address the challenges in the polytechnics within one month, had not materialized.

He noted that the issues in contention include: Non-implementation of the report of the NEEDS assessment survey of Polytechnics; sustained shortfalls in personnel releases and withdrawal of allowances since December 2015.

Others are non-payment of staff salaries in some state-owned institutions; non-release of CONTISS 15 migration arrears; infractions in the appointment process of Rectors; non-passage of the amendment bill of the Polytechnics Act and the continued victimisation of union officials.

ASUP said Adamu had directed a review of the report in line with inflationary trends before the transmission of the NEEDS assessment report to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval; there is no indication that the document’s movement to FEC for necessary action.

The union also accused some state-owned polytechnics of non-payment of staff salaries, which has continued in spite of repeated calls by the union for needed intervention.

It mentioned Abia that currently owes nine months while Edo, Kogi, Oyo, Benue, Osun, Imo, Plateau and Bayelsa owe between eight and four months. It revealed that check-off dues of the union in the states including Rivers State were equally being withheld. (Guardian)

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