The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement key provisions of its 2010 agreement with the union or face possible industrial action.
Speaking after an emergency National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, ASUP President, Shammah Kpanja, listed the union’s demands, including:
- Immediate release of a circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for payment of Peculiar Academic Allowances to polytechnic lecturers.
- Payment of 25% and 35% salary review arrears for 12 months, already budgeted but not released.
- Ending the outsourcing of polytechnic accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education.
- Implementation of the national minimum wage in all state polytechnics.
- Approval of a dual mandate structure to end discrimination against HND holders.
Kpanja criticised the Federal Ministry of Education for failing to act decisively and warned that failure to address the issues within the given timeframe could lead to a declaration of a trade dispute and a nationwide strike across public polytechnics and monotechnics.