NASUP Quit 7-month-long Strike In Nasarawa

14 May, 2014

Non Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (NASUP), Nasarawa State Polytechnic chapter, announced the suspension of its seven months-long-strike. This decision was announced by the Chairman of the union, Mr David Ayitono-Goshi, in Lafia on May 14, 2014, Wednesday. 
NASUP and the management of the polytechnic had a crucial meeting, and, after some respected personalities promised to pursue the union’s grievances to the appropriate authorities, the union had no option but to call the strike off and to resume work immediately.
However, Ayitono-Goshi warned that the suspension was “conditional”, and the strike may be resumed in case the state government fails to address the issues within six months.
According to NAN, some NASUP members have already been spotted at their places of work.

* Water cannons and tear gas used against peaceful ASUP and COAESU protesters in Abuja on April 29, 2014. Photo credit – @OlaLakesider
However, efforts to end the lingering ASUP strike may have suffered a setback on May 14, 2014, Wednesday. The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr McJohn Nwaobiala, declared on behalf of the Minister of Education Nyesom Wike that the salary arrears of polytechnic staff were not allocated in the 2014 budget.
He assured that the government was willing to pay the salary arrears, but cannot guarantee when it would be possible, since there was no provision for that in the budget.
Nevertheless, the secretary informed that Wike had requested for a special budgetary intervention to enable us to settle it.

“My minister needs to consult with the SGF and Minister of Labour so that we can know how we can get the funds,” Nwaobiala concluded.

The nationwide ASUP strike started in October 2013. Polytechnic lecturers vow to continue their industrial action until their 13 demands are met.