ASUP to continue prolonged strike

ASUP NEC to meet again next Tuesday
*Five Federal Polytechnics have already abandoned the strike, while the 16 governing councils of the Federal Polys have written to the Federal Ministry of Education of their respective resumption dates
The National Executive Council of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has resolved to continue its nine months old strike pending the outcome of its meeting with the Senate Committee on Education on July 1.
The President of the union, Mr. Chibuzor Asumogha, made the statement in an interview at the end of ASUPs 77th National Executive Council meeting in Lagos.

ASUP since losing the opportunity of the commitment made by the Federal Government through the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike on two installmental payment has been gasping for another opportunity. The Federal Government maintains that with the opportunity lost, any further commitment would be dependent on a supplementary budget which would be dependent on different stakeholders including the National Assembly.
Beyond the budgetary allocation is the complex issue of the wages and salaries commission which has raised the issue that the paying the CONTISS 15 Migration would have service wide implications. A committee set up by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is working on this aspect.
Five Federal Polytechnics out of the 21 Federal Polytechnics have already pulled out of the prolonged strike and have commenced academic activities. The Polytechnics contend that since the Federal Government has met over 90percent of their demands, the strike was no longer necessary as the outstanding issue of payment of CONTISS 15 would be settled since the Federal Government has accepted to pay.
All state polytechnics are in full session. Majority of the remaining 16 Federal Polytechnics have commenced the process of resumption. All their governing councils have indictated in separate letters to the Federal Ministry of Education that they have met with academic staff and management who have agreed to resume classes despite the political position of ASUP.

Asumogha said, “The thing we are saying is that government should be committed. When is it going to offset the arrears of the salary scale CONTISS 15 it is owing since 2009?’’

ASUP embarked on an indefinite strike in October, 2013 to press home its demand for improvement in the condition of service and infrastructure in government-owned polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of technology