Why ASUP suspended the planned strike – Official

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has suspended its planned industrial action following the federal government’s intervention over a controversial new service model, an official said.

Dr. Iloma Richard, ASUP Zone D Coordinator, said this on Friday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt.

He said the union had given the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) a 15-day ultimatum to either suspend implementation of the controversial policy or face industrial action.

“But before the ultimatum expired on July 22, the Federal Ministry of Education convened a tripartite meeting with ASUP and NBTE on July 19.

“The result of the meeting was the decision to suspend the implementation of the controversial document by sending an official circular to all relevant authorities. The NBTE complied.

“It was also decided at the meeting that the NBTE should initiate a process of reviewing the defective service delivery by key stakeholders,” he said.

Richard noted that the ASUP National Executive Council (NEC) was satisfied with the terms agreed during the meeting.

“Consequently, the NEC has decided to suspend the planned industrial action while monitoring the seriousness of the review process,” he concluded.

The union leader praised the Federal Ministry of Education for its timely intervention and praised the NBTE for its understanding.

“We are grateful to ASUP departments, rectors, provosts and students for their support throughout the process,” he stressed.

According to NAN, the points of contention in the new regulation concern the requirement to make the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation the licensing authority for polytechnics.

Other discriminatory aspects include the minimum employment requirements for bachelor’s graduates, which are set at the minimum second class score, and the higher credits for graduates of polytechnics.

Other issues on the agenda include an extended promotion period for lecturers, the classification of academic staff as non-academic staff and the reclassification of technicians as non-academic staff. (NAN)