STRIKES: Polytechnics and Education College Lecturers May Join ASUU

The lecturers from polytechnics and colleges of education may join the strike held by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The claim their demands have not been met by the FG. 
A source from the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) disclosed that the union may resume its strike, suspended on 16 July, due to a lack of significant progress from the government on the union’s wage dispute. Consequently, a meeting has been scheduled to hold between ASUP, the Governing Council Chairmen, Rectors and Registrars of Polytechnics and the National Board for Technical Education in Abuja this week between Tuesday and Wednesday, after which the union will convene its National Executive Council meeting. In an interview with PUNCH correspondent, the ASUP President, Chibuzo Asomugha, said,

“The Federal Government asked for two weeks, we gave them one month because there were outstanding issues, like the CONTISS 15 migration. The approval for that has come from the Head of Service but they are still to work out the modalities for the implementation. This involves arrears, and we have not been assured of where the arrears will come from and when. “Government also promised to constitute the Governing Councils for the remaining polytechnics within two weeks; it is one month now but nothing has been done.”
The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (CEASU), which had earlier issued a 21-day notice, on Friday released a fresh strike noticE. In an August 15 letter to the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, entitled ‘Re: Festering issues prone to industrial action: An Ultimatum’ and signed by its President, Asagha Nkoro, and the General Secretary, Nuhu Ogirima, the union issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to meet its demands and expressed worry about the attitude of the government to the crisis in the education sector, especially over poor working conditions.

“The entire academic staff of the nation’s colleges of education would, indeed, cease all responsibilities and functions dischargeable under the law and statute, if by August, 29,2013, the Federal Government refuses to take practical and meaningful steps towards addressing the union’s demands,” the letter reads.

However, today it became known that ASUU may end its strike if President Goodluck Jonathan approves N400 billion for the infrastructural development of Nigerian universities.

We will keep you updated.