Polytechnic staff shelve planned strike

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), yesterday announced their decision to suspend their planned strike over the newly released scheme of service for polytechnics.

They said the decision followed engagements with the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.

Daily Trust reports that the NBTE unveiled new schemes of service on June 19, 2024, as approved by the federal government for Nigerian Polytechnics, with effect from June 7, 2024.

However, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics opposed it, alleging that the new scheme of service lacked inclusive stakeholder input, particularly from their union and stakeholders in the polytechnic sector.

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Against this backdrop, the aggrieved lecturers gave a 15-day ultimatum to the federal government, effective July 8, 2024, to suspend the implementation of the new scheme of work or face diverse forms of industrial action by the union.

Reading a communiqué to journalists in Abuja at the end of their National Executive Council meeting, the union, through their President, Shamma Kpanja, said the 15-day ultimatum was to provide the government ample time to address their grievance or face industrial action.

“Within the 15-day period, however, our union’s leadership was invited to a tripartite meeting with the leadership of the NBTE and the Federal Ministry of Education on July 19, where it was resolved that the implementation of the flawed document be suspended and a review process be initiated in line with the demands of our Union.

“The document was immediately suspended by the NBTE through a circular addressed to chairmen, governing councils, rectors, and provosts of our institutions on the same day. Following this development, our union’s NEC reconvened on an emergency note on July 22 to review our earlier position.

“The NEC, therefore, resolved to suspend the earlier scheduled industrial action in recognition of the fact that the demands of the union have been met substantially.

“We appreciate our members’ steadfastness in the face of the unearned provocation; the intervention and inputs of different stakeholders, including rectors of polytechnics, sister staff unions, and the students through the National Association of Polytechnic Students.

“Our union shall therefore dedicate energy and time in the coming days to preparations for the review exercise to finally produce a document that will reflect the aspirations of the sector,” the union leader said.