The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government effective 9th October, 2017 for the Federal Government to comprehensively address issues bordering on the welfare of its members and smooth functioning of the sector.
The union took the decision at the 89th meeting of its National Executive Council held at the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba from the 2nd to the 6th of October, 2017.
The union in a letter dated 9th October, 2017 signed by its National President Comrade Usman Y. Dutse addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige stated that if the government fails to do the needful at the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum, it will be left with no choice than to withdraw the services of its members across the country in a total national industrial action.
The union said it may also reconsider its continued participation in the renegotiation of its 2010 agreement with the government as the issues listed above constitute violations of the subsisting agreement.
The letter reads in part, “It is the hope of our union that government should seize the opportunity provided by the 21 days window to resolve the issues and avert the ugly consequence of avoidable disruption in academic calendar across Nigerian polytechnics and monotechnics.”
The union said issues of Non Implementation of the Report of the NEEDS ASSESSMENT, shortfalls in personnel, Non-payment of Staff Salaries in Some State Owned Institutions, Non Release of CONTISS 15 Migration Arrears and Infractions in the Appointment Process of Rectors amongst others have not been addressed.
The union said despite the renewed assurances of the Federal Government/ ASUP renegotiation committee in resolving these issues, it is without any implementable time lines.
