The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has officially called off its two-week strike and directed all its members nationwide to return to their various workplaces. The union had initially embarked on this strike action to protest the failure of the government to fulfill several agreements and promises made with ASUP over issues affecting the polytechnic sector. The strike was also meant as a warning and a precursor to a potential indefinite strike if the concerns were not addressed.
In a statement signed by the union’s President, Kpanja Shamnah, the ASUP declared that its members are expected to resume work from Monday, December 16, 2024. This decision to suspend the strike comes after the union reached a new agreement with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment during a crucial conciliation meeting held on December 9, 2024. The outcome of this meeting provided hope for resolving the ongoing disputes within the sector, thus averting a potential indefinite strike that could have further impacted students and the education system as a whole.
The statement issued by ASUP highlighted that the union had declared the strike on December 2, 2024, in response to the government's failure to implement nine key items in a work plan developed jointly between the union and government agencies to resolve lingering issues. The union's decision to initiate the strike was meant as a warning, signaling the possibility of escalating the protest to an indefinite strike if no meaningful steps were taken by the government to address their concerns.
However, after the December 9 meeting with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the parties involved were able to come to an agreement, which resulted in the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This new MoU stipulates that a follow-up meeting will be held on January 23, 2025, to assess the progress of the implementation and compliance with the agreements made. The union’s National Executive Council will meet after this date to evaluate the situation and determine if further actions are necessary.
The ASUP expressed appreciation to its members for their unwavering commitment and resilience during the strike period, and the union emphasized the importance of continued government diligence in resolving the issues that have long plagued the polytechnic sector. The statement concluded with a call for all union members to resume their duties on December 16, 2024, in the hope that the agreements reached will result in a more favorable outcome for the sector and its stakeholders.
