Following the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and the Federal government deadlock meeting, polytechnics in various parts of the country have downed tools.
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Chapter, on Tuesday also joined the Nationwide strike.
This was confirmed in a memo signed by the publicity Secretary of the Chapter Comr. Babalola Akinola on Tuesday.
The statement read, “Arising from her emergency meeting held on Tuesday April 6, 2021, ASUP Yabatech Chapter keys into total strike action declared by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union.
“The strike action commences with immediate effect and cuts across all academics activities within the college.
“Members are advised to adhere strictly to the industrial action,” the statement read.
Similarly, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Offa in Kwara State, Dr Waheed Balogun, on Tuesday confirmed that his union had fully complied with the national directives of its parent body.
Dr Balogun, who described the strike as total, appealed to students affected by the action to bear with the union, as they will also benefit from its positive outcome.
He said, “It is unfortunate that until we embark on the strike action, the government will not be ready to dialogue with us.
“We gave the Federal Government almost one year ultimatum to act, but no action had been taken by the government till now,” Dr Balogun added.
The union chairman listed the grievances of the body to include non-payment of 10 months’ minimum wage, non-payment of arrears of 2017 to date in some Federal Polytechnics, promotion and non-implementation of 65 years retirement age as some colleagues are forced to retire at 60.
He also mentioned the failure to inaugurate the National Commission for Polytechnics, attempt by accountant general to forcefully recover about N19b unverified, unreconciled debts from staff salaries and non-payment of salaries in some state polytechnics such as Abia, Osun, and Ogun States, among others.
The union’s grievances also include the non-constitution of governing councils, saying the life of former boards expired in May 2020.
Dr Balogun appealed to the Federal government to begin productive and purposeful negotiation with the union for the way forward.
The ASUP Chapter of Federal Polytechnic Ede, have also joined its counterpart in partaking in the Nationwide strike.
This was confirmed the General secretary of the chapter, Comrade Akinola O.O on Tuesday.
According to the statement, “To press home our demands, the chapter hereby enjoined to give total compliance to this industrial action as a solidarity for our national organ in its quest to make the polytechnic sector better.”
