Wednesday, 9th June 2021: The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, (ASUP), 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.”