Workers of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, on Monday began indefinite strike over alleged demigration of staff and other welfare issues.
The workers, under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, SSANIP, and Non Academic Staff Union, NASU, said the decision followed the management’s refusal to address their demands over time and the expiration of the series of ultimatum.
Chairmen of the three unions – Mr Tunji Owoeye – ASUP, Dr Oluwole Ayeni – SSANIP, and Mr Charles Daudu – NASU, who addressed the workers at a joint rally after their different congresses, called on the Federal Government to set up a fresh inter-ministerial panel to look into the bone of contention.
According to them, the management demigrated workers from CONTISS 8 to CONTISS 7, thus allegedly shortchanging workers as against what obtains in other federal polytechnics.
They also accused the management of refusal to comply with implementation and payment of CONTISS 15 in spite of its attendant challenges as was directed by the then Education Minister.
The unions, which alleged that the workers had been shortchanged to the tune of N200 million through being paid below the amount being collected from the Federal Government, also accused the management of tampering with cooperative deductions.
But the Rector, Dr Theresa Akande said the unions had not communicated with the management on the purported industrial action, stating that the management had been meeting with the unions on the resolution of their grouse.
According to her, all the issues raised by the unions are not new, saying: “These were issues the Federal Government set up a Presidential Panel over.
“That I am still here with all their allegations shows that there are no substance in them. The National Board for Technical Education and the Federal Ministry of Education are looking into the migration issue because it is not a local issue. It affects all federal polytechnics,” the rector said.
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