Academic Staff Union Agrees To Call Off Strike

 ASUP has agreed to call off strike at the meeting organized on Tuesday by the Joint Committee on Education of the National Assembly, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has agreed to call off the strike as soon as possible, once their demands are met.

 The meeting sought to resolve the confrontation between the Federal Government, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and ASUP. Rukayat Rufai, the Minister of Education, and Chukwuemeka Nwogu, the Minister of Labour and Productivity were present at the meeting.

 The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Uche Chukwumerije called the unions to end this impasse which has grounded tertiary institutions across the country.

 The President of ASUP, Chibuzor Asomugha stated that the polytechnic lecturers would do all within their powers to end the strike in the nearest time.

 “Our meeting with the Senate Committee on Education was successful. There was an agreement to meet our demands in the next two weeks as the request will be presented to President Goodluck Jonathan for his approval,” he said.

 Mr Asomugha noted that the Senate, asked the union to call off their strike and give the Senate some time to convey their demands to the President.

 However, Mr Asumogba stated that he cannot unilaterally end the strike based on government’s promise.

 He added ASUP will decide when to finish the industrial action “after our NEC meeting slated in two weeks.”

 ASUP demands waiting for presidential approval include implementation of the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure, the Consolidated Polytechnic and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS), package, the appointment of the governing council and the issuance of the White Paper on same.