Govt aborts planned strike action over alleged failure to meet unions’ demands

The Delta State Government yesterday aborted the planned indefinite strike action to press home their demands by members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, (ASUP), Senior staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnic (SSANIP), and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) under the umbrella of the Joint Executive Unions in the state.

Expectedly, the Unions have planned to embark on an indefinite strike action to press home their demands following the alleged failure of the state government to review the understanding reached with the unions recently.

The Joint Executive Chairman of the Unions, Delta State Chapter, Mr. Thomas Ojuye, who confirmed the move to journalists in Asaba, however advised the Union members to remain steadfast and united in the challenges ahead.

But in a swift reaction, the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Engr. Jude Sinebe appealed to members of the Joint Unions in the three state owned polytechnics at Ogwashi-Uku, Oghara and Ozoro to patiently wait for the state government to address some of the issues raised by its leadership.

The Commissioner who spoke in a telephone with our reporter, said that the appeal became necessary as it would enable the state government to do what it can in resolving some of the issued, adding that the threat to embark on strike action, would not in any way yield the desired results.

He said that education was on the concurrent list of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, adding that approvals made by the Federal Government visa-vis allowances, and remuneration of staff has to be negotiated as it was not automatically binding on the states.

“Members of the Joint Unions met us (representatives of the state government) where they presented their demands before the state government, we have done our bit, and are waiting for final approval from the state government” he added.

Engr. Sinebe explained that there was never a time the state government entered into any form of agreement with the Joint Unions in the state owned polytechnics with regard to the current agitation of the unions, even as he urged members of the union to pray for the success of Dr. Okowa led administration.

Nosa Akenzua, Asaba