Poly staff commence warning strike over minimum wage arrears

The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) has embarked on a 14-day warning strike over the non-payment of minimum salary arrears by the federal government.

According to NAN, the union broke the news in a statement signed by Emmanuel Enyiegor, its acting national secretary, in Calabar, Cross River, on Monday.

The association stated that it resolved to embark on the warning strike after several efforts to ensure the federal government addressed its demands proved abortive.

SSANIP also explained that the resolution to embark on the industrial action was taken during its general executive council meeting held on December 17, 2020.

“This is to bring to the attention of all the members that the General Executive Council had on Dec. 17, 2020, approved the commencement of a 14-day warning strike with effect from Jan. 4,” the statement read.

“Members are by this notice directed to refrain from going to office from Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.

“We demand the immediate re-evaluation and implementation of the NEEDS assessment report and release of funds for the Polytechnic sector without further delay.

“We demand the complete payment of salaries and arrears of minimum wage for staff in the Polytechnic sector starting from the period of implementation in April 2019.

“We demand for the release of scheme of service for Polytechnics immediately. This has been put on hold by the National Board for Technical Education for three years without any concrete explanation.”

The association also expressed displeasure with the state governments of Benue, Cross River, Abia, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Kano over non-payment of correct outstanding salaries to staff of polytechnics and colleges of health.

“The union decries the nonchalant attitude of the Integrated Personal Payroll Information System to issues of SSANIP as regards salaries of members,” it added.

“We demand the constitution of Governing Councils in all Federal and state Polytechnics.”