The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) will begin an indefinite nationwide industrial action starting from Friday, following the failure of the Federal Government to fulfil an earlier agreement with the union.
ASUP suspended its strike action on 17th July 2013, after leaders of the country intervened. But in a communique on Saturday, it claimed that nothing would hold it back on the decision to begin the indefinite strike.
The communique signed by the union’s National Publicity Secretary of the union, Chairman Clement Selchum, stated that the decision to embark on strike was reached at its 75th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State.
Titled Communique Of The 75th National Executive Council (NEC) Of The Academic Staff Union Of Polytechnics (ASUP), the statement observed some of the following: “The frustrating inertia of the Federal Government to convincingly fulfil any of the promises and agreements reached with the union before the suspension of the strike on 17th July 2013 on CONTISS 15 Migration for lower cadres, Needs Assessment of Polytechnics, release of Whitepaper of visitation to Federal polytechnics, discrimination between polytechnics and university graduates in job placement and career progression and the constitution of Governing Councils to Federal polytechnics earlier omitted.
“The anti-labour stance of the National Assembly, as exemplified by the recently proposed removal of minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list of the constitution to the concurrent list; as well as the proposed legislation against declaration of industrial strike by unions in the tertiary sector.
“The growing tension in the nation’s polity as a result of the volatile comments and activities of politicians and interest groups
“Government’s abuse of the laws establishing TETfund;
“The culpable lack of commitment of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to meeting the needs and demands of polytechnic education in Nigeria.
“Appointment of rectors/provosts from within polytechnic/monotechnics sector.”
ASUP said its NEC resolved that, in the light of these observations, the “government should without delay address all the outstanding standing issues including the NEEDS Assessments of the polytechnics and the corresponding funding, constitution of the Governing Councils of the remaining Federal polytechnics, CONITSS 15 Migration of the Lower Cadres, the removal of disparity between HND and Degree certificates, establishment of the National Polytechnics Commission (NPC), release of the Whitepaper of the visitation panels to polytechnics.
It further resolved “that the National Assembly should rescind from its current anti-labour posture in the interest of industrial peace and our desperate move to rescue the endangered soul of the tertiary institutions in the country;
“That the National Assembly should expedite action on the review of the Polytechnic Act;
“That a vote of no confidence be passed the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and further calls for the immediate establishment of a National Polytechnics Commission (NPC) to proactively cater for the needs of the sector.
“That the Nigerian political class and other interest groups should exercise restraint on their utterances and activities in the interest of peace, unity and security of the nation.
“That the Federal Government should desist from abuse of TETfund laws.
“That stakeholders in the education sector such as parents, students, religious leaders, the press, members of States and National assemblies to rise to their responsibilities of rescuing the (polytechnic) education sector from imminent collapse.
“That the position of ASUP on the need to appoint the rectors from within the polytechnic system remains irreversible.
“That in view of the continued insincerity of Government to honour the agreement reached with ASUP, NEC resolves that the union will resume the suspended strike with effect from 4th October, 2013. NEC sincerely appreciates the good people of Nigeria and all other stakeholders in the education sector for their sustained support in its struggles to save the polytechnic education from total collapse in Nigeria.
