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Tag: Polytechnic workers

  • Polytechnic workers suspend planned strike after signing agreement with FG

    Polytechnic workers suspend planned strike after signing agreement with FG

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics has suspended its planned three-day warning strike, initially scheduled to commence today, January 22.

    In a statement signed by the national secretary of SSANIP, Nura Gaya, the suspension followed a meeting mediated by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

    The meeting, chaired by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammad Dingyadi, involved key stakeholders, including representatives from the National Board for Technical Education, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

    The union had expressed concern over the ongoing redrafting of the Polytechnic Schemes of Service about the Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS) 15.

    Gaya said the meeting was characterized by robust engagement, noting that stakeholders signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the end of the session.

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    He said the government reaffirmed its commitment to addressing SSANIP’s concerns, including the rightful career progression of non-teaching staff to CONTEDISS.

    Gaya said: “The demands of SSANIP were unanimously agreed to be legitimate, and all stakeholders present pledged to work towards ensuring a resolution that upholds equity and justice within the Polytechnic system.”

    He added that the strike was suspended “forthwith” to allow the union to monitor developments regarding the ongoing review of schemes of service.

    SSANIP had earlier announced the planned strike to protest the alleged career regression of its members in the civil service.

    The union expressed gratitude to its members for their solidarity and patience during the dispute.

    “We commend all members for their vigilance and urge everyone to remain united as we await the implementation of the agreed measures,” the statement concluded.

  • Polytechnic workers shift planned strike till Dec 2

    Polytechnic workers shift planned strike till Dec 2

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has deferred its planned strike to December 2 to enable the Federal Government to meet its demands.

    ASUP National President Kpanja Shammah announced this in a statement at the end of the union’s emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

    On October 7, ASUP had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands.

    The union said it was protesting the National Board for Technical Education’s (NBTE’s) alleged interference in the statutory duties of academic boards on the admission of Higher National Diploma (HND) students.

    Others include the need for infrastructure revitalisation through the NEEDS Assessment intervention, implementation of promotions in state institutions, and the payment of all outstanding promotion arrears.

    Shammah said the meeting was convened on October 23 to resolve the contentious issues.

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    He said: “Resolutions and an action plan were developed during the meeting to resolve the issues. The union’s NEC, therefore, met again on an emergency note on October 24 to review the action plan, as proposed in the meeting with the stakeholders.

    “After exhaustive deliberations, the union resolved to defer its proposed industrial action to December 2.

    “The decision was taken to gauge the government’s commitment to implementing the action plan as agreed at the meeting of October 23.

    “It is, therefore, the expectation of our union that the government will take advantage of the period to show commitment by diligently executing the action plan on each of the 11 items of dispute or risk a comprehensive withdrawal of service by academic staff in the Nigeria polytechnic system.

    “The union acknowledges and appreciates the partnership of the media and other stakeholders thus far in this struggle.”

  • Polytechnic workers want ‘gray areas’ in new scheme of service addressed

    Polytechnic workers want ‘gray areas’ in new scheme of service addressed

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) has commended the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and the Executive Secretary of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje on the released New Unified Scheme of Service for polytechnics in Nigeria. 

    The union gave the commendation in a communique at the end of its 72d quarterly General Executive Council meeting at Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State by its National President, Comrade Philip Ogunsipe and National Secretary, Comrade Nura Gaya.

    SSANIP urged the appropriate regulatory agencies to urgently look into some of the gray areas in the document before implementation. 

    The union said this should be done for industrial harmony and stability in the system.

    “Council in session recognised and appreciate the extra efforts of the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Mrs. Folasade Yemi-Esan and the Executive Secretary of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje for their tenacity, drive, commitment and strength towards the approval and release of a New Unified Scheme of Service for Polytechnics in Nigeria. 

    “Council noted that there are some gray areas which need to be worked upon to make the document suitable for use. Council therefore called on the appropriate regulatory agencies to urgently look into these gray areas for industrial harmony and stability in the system.”

    The polytechnic workers also lauded the Federal Government for implementing the 25/35 per cent wage increase in state-owned polytechnics and colleges of technology. 

    The union appealed to other state governments to immediately implement the 25 – 35 per cent wage increase in their various institutions for industrial harmony and peace.

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    “Council in session is grateful to the Federal Government for the Implementation of the 25/35% wage increase earlier in the year. Council equally noted that no state owned Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology has enjoyed same except the government of Ekiti State which has graciously extended it to the workers of Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan-Ekiti and College of Health Technology, Ijero-Ekiti respectively. Council therefore appeals to other state governments to immediately implement this 25/35% wage increase in their various institutions for industrial harmony and peace.

    “Council in session particularly appreciates the governor of Ekiti State, H.E. Gov. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for being workers friendly and standing tall among his counterparts,” the communique stated. 

    The workers also made a case for the payment of wage award for March till date

    “Council in session is calling on the Federal and State Governments to pay without further delay the arrears of wage award from the month of March till date in tandem with the promise made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation that government will resume the payment of the said wage award since the National Minimum Wage is yet to be approved and implemented,” the union said.