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  • ASUP Joins ASUU Declares Warning Strike, Threaten Indefinite Shutdown

    ASUP Joins ASUU Declares Warning Strike, Threaten Indefinite Shutdown

    Another setback looms in the nation’s education sector as members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) prepare to embark on a warning strike.

    ASUP President, Anderson Ezeibe, made the announcement on Wednesday, two days after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) extended its ongoing strike which began in mid-February by another 12 weeks.

    He stated that the polytechnic lecturers would withdraw their services in a two-week industrial action with effect from Monday next week.

    Ezeibe explained that the decision was reached at the emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council to review the response of the Federal Government to its ultimatum.

    He added that ASUP had suspended its initial strike in June 2021 following the signing of a Memorandum of Action (MoA) with the government which contained a clear path to a sustainable resolution of the issues in dispute with timelines attached to each of them.

    The ASUP president said while the suspension of the industrial action was for a period of three months, the government refused to address the issues raised.

    As a result, he stated, the union issues an ultimatum which expired on May 4, but the situation has remained the same with no concrete effort on the government’s part.

    Ezeibe stressed that the warning strike was to appeal to Nigerians to prevail on the government to do the needful within the two weeks so as to avoid an indefinite shut down of the sector.

  • Strike: ASUP Osun Poly gives govt 7 days Ultimatum

    Strike: ASUP Osun Poly gives govt 7 days Ultimatum

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, has issued a 7-day ultimatum to Osun Government to address the demands of the union.

    The union made the decision after its Congress at its secretariat, Iree, Boripe Local Government area of Osun State, on Wednesday.

    The union asked the state government to scale up Tertiary Institutions’ Salary Table to 100% just like it did for the health sector which was addressed in 2020.

    The Chairman of the Union, Dr Fatai Afolabi threatened that the union will embark on strike if the government failed to attend to the request presented by the Union.

    He said the Osun government is yet to pay five months’ cooperative bank loan deductions after many letters have been written to that effect.

    “There is May, June cooperative deduction banks loans and March, April and May 2020 making five months which had not been paid after many letters have been written to the government.

    “And there was an agreement between the labour union and government that one promotion would be cash backed by November last year and the government would start paying them starting from November last year.

    “There is no solution on sight, the Congress has decided to give the 7 days government ultimatum.

    Afolabi said their colleagues in Federal Polytechnics in other state-owned institutions were enjoying the 2019 salary scheme while Osun polytechnic lecturers are still agitating for full implementation of that of 2009.

    According to the chairman, “We want our promotion as at when due, we have discussed with the government that even if it’s not cash-backed that they should allow us to be getting our promotion. We don’t force them to pay immediately because we have a gentlemen agreement.

    “There are other things that have to do with the promotion because in academics if you don’t attain certain status you will not be given some responsibilities.

    “The retirement age cum length of service, the retirement age of academic staff in the polytechnic Act has been increased to 65 years irrespective of the length of service this was clearly stated in the Osun State 2014 law that has to do with academic staff.

    “Our demands are; Implementation of Full Salary Table for Tertiary Institutions.; 65 Years Retirement Age, Year 2019, 2020, and 2021 Promotion Exercise.

    “Payment of 29 Months Half-Salary Arrears and Monthly Deduction of May and June 2019, March, April and May 2020 Contributory Pension Scheme”, he added

    Recall that the 7 days ultimatum follows the 21-day notice to the Osun state government on 17th December 2021, which elapsed in January 2022.

  • BREAKING: ASUP suspends 65days Strike

    BREAKING: ASUP suspends 65days Strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics on Wednesday announced the suspension of its strike.

    The union’s National Secretary, Abdullahi Yalwa, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday titled, ‘Suspension of the national strike of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.’

    Yalwa said the union decided to suspend the strike based on the fact the government has started the gradual implementation of the items contained in the Memorandum of Action they signed.

    Recall that ASUP had, in a nine-point demand, requested among others, implementation of new salary scheme, revitalisation of polytechnics, the inauguration of the national commission for polytechnics, implementation of new national minimum wage and payment of arrears.

    “The suspension is for a period of three months to enable the government compile the execution of the items contained in the Memorandum of Action signed with the union since April 27, 2021,” the statement read.

    The union, in the statement, noted that the Ministry of Education had re-constituted and inaugurated governing councils and visitation panels in Nigerian federal polytechnics.

    It added that members were also informed that the release of funds for infrastructure revitalisation and minimum wage arrears is currently being processed.

    The union also cited the ongoing efforts at the review of the Scheme of Service and Conditions of Service for Polytechnics as well as the commencement of work towards resolution of the issues around CONTISS 15 migration arrears for the lower cadre.

    The statement added, “We also acknowledge the recent passage of the bill for removal of the dichotomy against HND holders in the country.

    “In reaching the decision to suspend the strike, our union took into cognizance the appeals made by the government, revered traditional stools in the country, members of the National Assembly, Chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics and indeed members of the public who showed varied interests in the matter.

    “It is the expectation of our union that the suspension of this action will provide an enabling environment for the government to fulfil other aspects of the memorandum of action and afford the government an opportunity to reverse its trust deficit within our sector.

    “We equally appreciate the different layers of intervention by critical stakeholder groups in the sector within the period.”

  • We won’t end strike until FG meets our demands – ASUP

    We won’t end strike until FG meets our demands – ASUP

    The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Anderson Ezeibe, has said the union will continue its indefinite strike until the Federal Government meets its demands.

    Ezeibe stated this during his visit to the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State to observe the level of compliance with the strike by the union’s members.

    ASUP had on April 6 embarked on a nationwide strike.

    Among the demands of the union are the implementation of the ASUP/FG agreement of 2010, and the payment of salaries and arrears of the new minimum wage in some state-owned polytechnics.

    Others are the implementation of the NEEDS Assessment Report of 2014 and reconstitution of governing councils of polytechnics.

    “Our members should continue to believe in the union the way they have been doing, we have very supportive members as you can see; the strike is in full swing.

    “Every polytechnic is observing the strike and compliance level is very high. We will continue to persevere; victory is around the corner,” Ezeibe said in a statement.

    He expressed satisfaction that the strike had begun to yield some positive results.

    He said, “The strike has yielded some positive responses from the Federal Government by appointing and inaugurating governing councils for polytechnics across the country, setting up visitation panels, reinstatement of some dismissed members, though the payment of N15bn for infrastructure in polytechnics and allowances, among others, are still pending.

    “I must express concern over the appointment of unqualified rectors for polytechnics against the Federal Polytechnics Act. To be a rector, the person must be a chief lecturer for a minimum of five years in any of the polytechnics.”

    Ezeibe denied that N20bn was collectively owed by 19 polytechnic staff members as tax liability.

    According to him, such money has been deducted through the Pay As You Earn tax.

    He said the union would resist any attempt to deduct the same from staff salaries.

    Earlier, the Chairman of ASUP, Auchi Polytechnic chapter, Mr Lawani Jimoh, said the members were committed to continuing with the strike until there was a directive from the national body.

    “We want to see the funds released for the sector and some other items that require processes to be put in motion,’’ he said.

    “If we are able to get to that point, I am sure our national executive committee will take a second look at the strike,” he said.

  • ASUP Declares Immediate Strike Over New Salary Scheme

    ASUP Declares Immediate Strike Over New Salary Scheme

    Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has declared a strike, demanding the implementation of a new salary scheme for polytechnic lecturers.

    According to the union, the industrial action kicks off on Tuesday, April 6th.

    ASUP leaders made the strike declaration today after a meeting with Federal Government officials in Abuja,

    Asides from the new salary scheme, the union is also demanding payment of salaries and promotion allowances owed lecturers by some state governments.

    National President of ASUP, Anderson Ezeibe while insisting that strike will go on, however, noted that the union will be open for dialogue with the Federal Government to resolve the issues raised.

  • ASUP threatens Nationwide strike If…

    ASUP threatens Nationwide strike If…

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has threatened to embark on a strike from April 6.

    ASUP said the strike was aimed at ensuring “unresolved issues with the Federal Government and some states.

    The body issued the warning in a communique at the end of its 99th National Executive Council meeting on Friday, in Katsina State.

    In the communique, signed by its President, Anderson Ezeibe, ASUP said the decision was to draw the government’s attention to the need to release the 10 months arrears of the new minimum wage, owed its members in federal polytechnics.

    The association also demanded that state governments pay up arrears of the new minimum wage owed state polytechnic lecturers.

    “There is the need to implement the contents of the NEEDS Assessment report of 2014 in public polytechnics and similar institutions.

    “’Another issue also is the reconstitution of Governing Councils in all federal polytechnics and some state-owned polytechnics where such is yet to be constituted.

    “Others are the full implementation of the provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act, as well as its domestication in Adamawa, Kano, Sokoto, Abia, Niger and other affected states,” it said.

    ASUP further called for the release of salaries owed staff in Abia, Ogun, Osun, Benue, Plateau, Edo and Cross River, as well as the implementation of full salary payments in Sokoto, Kaduna, Adamawa and others.

    The group also appealed to the government to withdraw the letter containing unsubstantiated claims of PAYE tax liabilities in 19 federal polytechnics.

    The communique also urged Kano and Kaduna governments to implement the 65 years retirement age for academic staff in their tertiary institutions.

  • ASUP suspends planned strike to support fight against COVID-19

    ASUP suspends planned strike to support fight against COVID-19

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has said it will shelve its proposed strike to support the fight against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic across the country.

    READ ALSO: Covid-19:Abia commences production of masks, protective medical kits – Hart

    The ASUP President, Mr Anderson Ezeibe, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
    Ezeibe said that the union’s 97th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting had resolved to embark on an industrial action after the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over its inability to meet up with agreement entered with the union.
    He said that the 15-day ultimatum took effect on March 18 and expired on April 3.
    “Consequent upon the inability of government to keep to agreements entered into with our union since 2010 and the avoidable shortcomings associated with payment of February salaries in federal polytechnics, our union’s 97th NEC meeting had resolved to embark on an industrial action.
    “This was after the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued with effect from March 18 and which expired on April 3,” he said.
    The ASUP president listed the key aspects of the dispute with government to include avoidable shortcomings in the deployment of the IPPIS payment platform in polytechnics with February salaries, against the union’s understandings with the responsible agency of government.
    Others, he said, were non-payment of salaries in some state-owned institutions in the country, with some states owing members as much as 17 months’ salaries as well as continued victimisation of the union’s officials in some institutions.
    Ezeibe also mentioned other issues as non-release of the agreed revitalisation fund in lieu of the anticipated implementation of the NEEDS Assessment Survey Report for Public Polytechnics, since 2014.
    “Non-conclusion of the renegotiation of the union’s 2010 agreement with the government; violations of extant provisions of the Polytechnics Act (2019 Amendment) by the governing councils of some polytechnics.
    “Unilateral suspension of the rapid response committee by the Federal Ministry of Education, leading to the non-release of promotion arrears since 2017.
    “Also non-release of arrears of CONTISS 15 migration for the lower cadre and non-release of the Reviewed Scheme of Service and Conditions of Service for Polytechnics, among others,” Ezeibe stated.
    He also explained that government, through its agencies, had remained insensitive to the issues over the years and had continued to demonstrate such attitude as seen in the delay in the release of March salaries of its members.
    By so doing, Ezeibe said that government had unwittingly encouraged the declaration of the impending strike by the union.
    He, however, said the union was concerned about the prevailing but unacceptable rate of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across the nation and its consequences on the national life and indeed, the humanity.
    The ASUP president also said that the union was moved by the overriding need to collectively focus on and arrest the growing spread of the scourge in the country.
    “The union has, therefore, resolved to put on hold its proposed industrial action for the overriding national interest and humanity, to resume at a more auspicious period.
    “We encourage our members nationwide to play complementary roles to the extent of deploying their professional competences as well as participating in safe community action efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
    “We also want to encourage our members to observe the requisite safety protocols, as prescribed for this challenging period and beyond.
    “While our union has decided on this path of patriotism, it is expected that government will provide the enabling environment to ensure an all-encompassing and sustainable victory against not only the COVID-19 pandemic, but also against other similar diseases ravaging our country,” he said.

  • ASUP calls for full implementation of amended Polytechnics Act, 2019

    ASUP calls for full implementation of amended Polytechnics Act, 2019

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) on Wednesday called for full implementation of the Federal Polytechnics (Amendment) Act, 2019.

    National President of the union, Mr Usman Dutse, made the call at the opening ceremony of the 15th National Delegates Conference (NDC) of ASUP held at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro in Ogun.

    The conference which kicked off on Dec. 4 would last till Dec. 7.

    Dutse said that the Act, which was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in June, had not been fully implemented.

    He said that barely six months after the Act was signed into law, not much had been achieved.

    “You can see how the Federal Government put pressure on us on IPPIS issue; if it is their interest, they will put pressure.

    “Some Rectors had forced the union members to be enrolled in the scheme, but this act that will benefit the system and workers, has not been implemented.

    “Now, there is a letter from the ministry, forwarded by NBTE, that some provisions of the act should not be implemented until next year.

    “That is why we are asking, why the alteration? They altered other areas, and they said the council should remain till next year.

    “We are not against the council being delayed till next year, but there are some council members that the act has removed.

    “We want them to know that there is need for them to take action in that regard,” he said.

    The ASUP president said some of the lingering issues would be discussed at the business sessions at the ongoing conference and take position as NDC was the highest decision making body of the union.

    “Our delegates are here, our NEC members are here and LOC are here, we will look at the issues and take a decision,” Dutse said.

    He urged the Federal Government to be up and doing, and as well attach much importance and attention to technological education.

    According to him, in their speeches, they praised and talked about technical education, but when it comes to funding and attention, the sector received the least.

    In his remarks, Dr Masa’udu Kazaure, Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), commended the foresight of the union in accepting the government’s policy on IPPIS.

    Kazaure, represented by Dr Olusegun Aluko, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, described the union’s stance as patriotic and commendable.

    The executive secretary said he was of firm belief that ASUP would have no cause to regret its action.

    “From the records, ASUP elections are democratic and rancor-free, which manifests in the excellent fellowship.

    “It is my fervent prayer that this NDC will not be different,” he said.

    Kazaure congratulated the outgoing leadership of the union for a successful tenure.

    He said that their reign had redefined ASUP/Government relationship.

    Kazaure also commended the union for its doggedness in the actualisation of the amendment of the Federal Polytechnic Act.

    He said similar approach was used by the union to get the government to sign the Memorandum of Settlement, which paved way for NBTE to review its normative instruments, compelling proprietors of institutions to regular payment of salaries and allowances.

    Also, Prof. Abubakar Sadaoki, urged management and governing council of various polytechnics to find a common ground with the union for peace to reign in their respective institutions. (NAN)