ASUP: No ongoing negotiation with FG, we’ll embark on strike

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) says it has not started negotiations with the Federal Government to address contentious issues in the new scheme of service.

The ASUP Zone D Coordinator, Dr Iloma Richard, made this known at a press conference in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

Richard said the proposed document could severely harm polytechnic education in the country.

“Negotiation has not yet begun with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to address the issue of new scheme of service,” he said.

ASUP gave NBTE a 15-day ultimatum, ending on June 22, to suspend the implementation of the disputed scheme of service or risk industrial action.

Richard stated that ASUP would mobilise members for a strike if public polytechnic authorities did not meet the union’s demands.

ASUP gives ultimatum to suspend scheme of service implementation

“Ever since the 15-day ultimatum was issued, NBTE has failed to convene a single meeting of stakeholders to address the issues in contention,” he added.

The ASUP coordinator said the suspension of the scheme of service was necessary because some of its provisions were below standards.

The ASUP official said the union was averse to a provision in the new scheme making the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation an approving authority.

Richard stated that it was discriminatory to peg the minimum employment requirement for Bachelor’s degree holders at second-class lower division while their polytechnic counterparts required upper credit.

“Extension of the cadre progression ranks of lecturers from ‘7-steps to 9-steps,’ is alien to any educational sector in the world,” he stressed.

The ASUP leader listed other contentious issues to include an extra year for promoting lectures, non-academic designation for academic staff, and reclassification of technologists as non-academic staff, among others.

Richard said: “It is clear that if allowed, the document will undermine career progression, escalate the existing discriminations, reduce staff morale and lead to an eventual collapse of polytechnic education.

“In view of this, ASUP Zone D, comprising of South-South and South-East states, endorses the National Executive Council’s call for the suspension and review of all identified areas in the document.

“We shall swiftly mobilise our members in the zone if at the expiration of the ultimatum, the union directs us to embark on industrial action.”

The Star