Breaking: Polytechnic Lecturers Suspend 65-day old Strike

Lecturers under the auspices of Academic Staff Union Of Polytechnics (ASUP) have suspended their 65-day old strike.

National Publicity Secretary of ASUP, Abdullahi Yalwa, who announced this Wednesday, said the union suspended the strike following an appraisal of the report indicating the gradual implementation of the items contained in the Memorandum of Action signed between the Union and the Federal Government.

The polytechnic teachers had insisted on continuing with their industrial action until the Federal Government meets all their demands.

The body 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, payment of arrears, among others.

NewsWireNGR recalls that, ASUP President, Anderson Ezeibe, had faulted claims by the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, that issues with ASUP had been settled, saying it was a ploy to discredit the union.

Ezeibe said: “The minister, by his claims, showed a clear lack of understanding of issues in dispute as well as steps being taken to resolve them. He was not part of negotiation or review meetings, so does not understand the issues. We believed he was shifting the blame to the union in order to blackmail members into submission. It was a wrong strategy because the union is focused on issues and would not give in to blackmail.”

More details of this suspension to follow.