The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), has suspended its planned strike billed to begin today, July 23, 2024 at the expiration of a 15-day notice.
The decision to back down from the strike followed Federal Government’s withdrawal of the ‘contentious’ scheme of service document as released by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) on June 19, 2024.
In a statement, ASUP President, Shammah Kpanja said, the Union had reviewed the document and identified several provisions that fundamentally altered the tertiary education status of Polytechnics in Nigeria, deepened the condemnable and agelong discrimination against holders of the Higher National Diploma certificate, distorted employee relativity in the Nigeria Polytechnic system, unnecessarily expanded the overheads of the Institutions, and several others.
ASUP President explained that the 15 days ultimatum was to provide government the ample time to address its grievances or face diverse forms of industrial action by its aggrieved members.
The statement revealed that on July 19, 2024, the ASUP leadership was invited to a tripartite meeting with the NBTE and Federal Ministry of Education, 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 the workers.
According to the ASUP statement, the document was immediately suspended by the NBTE through a circular addressed to Chairmen of Governing Councils, Rectors and Provosts of aĺl institution’s same day.
ASUP said following the development, it has suspended its planned industrial action and shall therefore dedicate energy and time in the coming days in preparations for the review exercise of the document, so as to finally produce a scheme of service that will reflect the aspirations of the Polytechnic sector.
Editor: Ken Eseni
