The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) on Friday said the nationwide strike action it planned to embark upon with effect from Monday Aug. 22 has been put on hold till further notice.
ASUP Zonal Coordinator for Zone B, Comrade Abdullahi Yelwa, disclosed this at a news briefing after its 58th Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) meeting held at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
He said the decision to put the planned action on hold was in view of the recent moves being made by the federal government in reaching out to the Union for dialogue over the grievances that led to issuance of one month ultimatum on July 21.
Abdullahi explained that ASUP is only on ‘standby mode’ over the strike action to allow discussion with the government, noting that the Union would not hesitate in resuming its planned action once it observes lack of commitment in addressing their demands.
Amongst the grievances of ASUP include non-implementation of the NEEDS Assessment Report 2014, non-payment of salaries in many state-owned polytechnics between 2 to 8 months, shortfalls in personnel allocations to polytechnics as well as unpaid allowances in federal polytechnics since January 2016 and non-release of arrears of promotion.
Other grouse of ASUP include victimization of union officials, non-release of check-off dues and interference in union activities, non-release of visitation panel reports of federal polytechnics since 2011, delay in the review of the Polytechnic Act and non-commencement of the renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN agreement of 2010 which has been due since 2013.
ASUP commended the recent moves being made by the federal government to end the dichotomy that had existed between polytechnic agraduates and their university counterparts in the interest justice and fair-play.
