ASUP Shelves Planned Strike

THE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has shelved its planned nationwide strike following what it called positive steps taken by the Federal Government to address its demands.
ASUP had earlier threatened to embark on strike at the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government on August 15 to address unresolved issues, such as unpaid salary arrears, delayed implementation of the 25 and 35 per cent salary adjustment, non-release of promotion arrears and stalled renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN agreement, among others.
However, the union, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, October 12, by its President, Shammah Kpanja, announced the suspension, saying the decision followed the union’s 115th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on October 9 to review government’s response to the ultimatum.
The union acknowledged progress on several fronts, including the release of a circular by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission on Peculiar Academic Allowances.
It also noted measurable progress on the 2025 cycle of the NEEDS Assessment intervention and the resumption of meetings of the Polytechnic Implementation Monitoring Committee, and appreciated the reconstitution of the Federal Government Renegotiation Committee to include the polytechnic sector.
Kpanja commended the Federal Ministry of Education for addressing issues at the Federal Polytechnics in Nekede and Ekowe, saying ASUP was also encouraged by efforts to release arrears of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary adjustment and promotion arrears owed to polytechnic staff.
He said consequently, “our NEC resolved to put on hold the proposed strike to give government more time to conclude ongoing actions.”
The ASUP leader, however, stated that the union would review the situation within six weeks to assess the level of implementation of the commitments, even as he commended the ministers in charge and officials of the ministry for their engagement and commitment to resolving the issues.