Lecturers under the aegis of The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) have announced the suspension of its nationwide strike. This was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement by the union’s National Secretary, Abdullahi Yalwa titled, “Suspension of the national strike of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.”
The statement read,” Following an appraisal of the report indicating the gradual implementation of the items contained in the Memorandum of Action signed between our Union and the Federal Government, the Union has resolved to suspend its 65 days old industrial action with effect from 10th June 2021.
“The suspension is for a period of 3 months to enable the government to complete the execution of the items contained in the Memorandum of Action signed with the union since 27th April 2021.”
Before the industrial strike, ASUP had presented the Federal Government with a nine-point demand that requested a new salary scheme, revitalization of polytechnics, and implementation of a new national minimum wage and payment of arrears amongst other issues.
The statement released by ASUP further read: “As part of the efforts communicated by the Federal Ministry of Education, certain items have been fulfilled like the reconstitution and inauguration of governing councils and visitation panels in Nigerian Federal Polytechnics while we are led to believe that the release of funds for infrastructure revitalization and minimum wage arrears is currently being processed.”
Yalwa also stated that the union hopes that the suspension of its strike action would encourage the government to fulfill other aspects of the Memorandum of Action (MOA) signed between the union and the Federal Government.
However, the union promised to resume their nationwide strike if the government fails to implement their demands after 3 months.
