The Union of Academic Staff of Polytechnics (ASUP) on Wednesday suspended its two-month-old national strike.
ASUP National Advertising Secretary Mr. Abdullahi Yalwa made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja.
He said the suspension would take effect from Thursday, June 10.
The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) reports that ASUP launched a nationwide strike on April 6 to assert its demands.
The union’s grievances concern the poor condition of the public polytechnics and monotechnics as well as the 10-month non-payment of the new minimum wage in arrears.
NAN reports that the federal government has proposed to release N15 billion for the revitalization of polytechnics and monotechnics and to release money for the payment of minimum wage arrears.
Yalwa said ASUP suspended the strike in view of progress made in its discussions with the federal government.
“Following the evaluation of a report indicating the gradual implementation of the elements contained in the memorandum of action signed between our union and the federal government, the union decided to suspend its 65-day industrial action as of June 10.
“The suspension is for three months to allow the government to fully implement the elements contained in the memorandum of action signed with the union since April 27,” he said.
Yalwa noted that some demands have been met by the government, including the replenishment and inauguration of boards of directors and visitation panels at federal polytechnics.
“We are led to believe that the release of funds for infrastructure revitalization and minimum wage arrears is currently being addressed,” he said.
Yalwa also said that efforts are underway to revise the service curriculum and terms of service for polytechnics.
He added that work had started to resolve CONTISS 15 migration backlog issues for lower management.
He added that the union also recognized the recent passage of a bill to remove the dichotomy against holders of higher national diplomas.
“In making the decision to suspend the strike, our union heeded appeals by the government, revered traditional stools, the National Assembly, the presidents of the boards of directors of federal polytechnics and members of the public who have expressed various interests in this area.
“Our union expects that the suspension of this action will provide an enabling environment for government to fulfill other aspects of the protocol of action and give the government the opportunity to reverse its deficit of confidence in our sector.
“We appreciate the different layers of intervention of critical stakeholder groups in the sector during the period,” he said.
