ASUP Agrees To Call Off Strike

At the meeting organized on Tuesday
by the Joint Committee on Education
of the National Assembly, the
Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics
(ASUP) has agreed to call off the
strike as soon as possible - once their
demands are met.
The meeting sought to resolve the
confrontation between the Federal
Government, the Academic Staff Union
of Universities (ASUU), and ASUP.
Rukayat Rufai, the Minister of Education,
and Chukwuemeka Nwogu, the Minister
of Labour and Productivity were present
at the meeting.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee
on Education, Uche Chukwumerije called
the unions to end this impasse which
has grounded tertiary institutions across
the country.
The President of ASUP, Chibuzor
Asomugha stated that the polytechnic
lecturers would do all within their
powers to end the strike in the nearest
time.
"Our meeting with the Senate
Committee on Education was successful.
There was an agreement to meet our
demands in the next two weeks as the
request will be presented to President
Goodluck Jonathan for his approval," he
said.
Mr Asomugha noted that the Senate,
asked the union to call off their strike
and give the Senate some time to
convey their demands to the President.
However, Mr Asumogba stated he
cannot unilaterally end the strike based
on government's promise. He added
ASUP will decide when to finish the
industrial action "after our NEC meeting
slated in two weeks."
ASUP demands waiting for presidential
approval include implementation of the
Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges
of Education Academic Staff Salary
Structure, the Consolidated Polytechnic
and Colleges of Education Academic Staff
Salary Structure (CONPCASS), package,
the appointment of the governing council
and the issuance of the White Paper on
same.
It should be noted that the meeting
between the joint committee and ASUU
did not hold that day.
Source: naij