ASUP suspends strike, directs members to resume Monday
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has announced the suspension of its two-week nationwide strike and directed members to resume duties on Monday, December 16, 2024.
The decision followed the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a conciliation meeting between the union and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on December 9.
ASUP President, Kpanja Shamnah, confirmed the development in a statement, explaining that the strike was initially declared on December 2 to address the government’s failure to implement nine key items in a jointly developed work plan.
The statement read in part:
“Members of the Union and the general public may recall that our Union declared a two-week definite strike effective December 2, 2024, over the inability of the government to execute nine items in the work plan jointly developed with our Union to resolve pending issues of trade dispute.
“This strike was meant to serve as a warning and precursor to an indefinite strike. However, within the period of the strike, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment convened a conciliation meeting on December 9 to resolve the dispute and save the sector from an indefinite strike.
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“At the meeting, a new MoU was signed, with the understanding that another meeting would be held on January 23, 2025, to assess compliance and address other outstanding issues. Following this development, the Union’s National Executive Council will meet to review the situation.”
The ASUP president directed all members to return to their duty posts on Monday while urging the government to honour its commitments.
“We thank and commend our members for their commitment and resilience. It is our Union’s hope that the government will diligently work to ensure a fruitful resolution of the issues in dispute,” Shamnah added.
The strike had been called to push for the implementation of long-standing agreements, which include improved funding for polytechnics, better working conditions for academic staff, and the resolution of salary and arrears issues.
The meeting scheduled for January 2025 is expected to evaluate progress on the implementation of the MoU and determine the Union’s next course of action.
For now, polytechnic staff and students across the country can expect academic activities to resume after two weeks of disruption.
Written by Sakinat Musa Abubakar, Editor at Neptune Prime
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