ASUP gives 15-day ultimatum over unresolved disputes

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 15- day ultimatum to the federal government to address some lingering issues affecting the smooth running of the polytechnic system in the country.

President of the union, Comrade Anderson Ezeibe, told Blueprint Sunday that the union after her National Executive Council (NEC) meeting resolved that the ultimatum became effective from 18th March, 2020.

He said the union was disappointed by the nonchalant and lackadaisical attitude by agencies of the government, including Office of the Accountant General of the Federation over issues affecting the sector as well as the avalanche of challenges witnessed in the payment of February 2020 salaries via the IPPIS platform.

Comrade Ezeibe stated that the union’s disappointment was informed by the deliberate and total exclusion of Diaspora scholars and some members across concerned institutions in the said payment; the reckless execution of obnoxious tax regimes; non execution of cooperative and other non statutory staff deductions and such other infractions are already causing severe economic and psycho-social stress for the affected members and their families.

“That based on the above which epitomises neglect, disregard and disrespect to the sector; coupled with the insincerity of government in respecting signed agreements entered into with our union, the union is hereby issuing a 15 days ultimatum to the government with effect from 18 of March, 2020 within which to resolve these pending issues affecting the sector or face industrial action by our union without the benefit of any other warning.

“The union demand for resolution of all issues associated with the poor implementation of the IPPIS in federal Polytechnics before the payment of March 2020 salaries as captured in the union’s letter to the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Nonpayment of staff withheld salaries and other emoluments in our member institutions within Abia, Benue, Imo, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Kogi states.

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