Yabatech ASUP declares total support for April 6 strike

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Yaba College of Technology, Yabatech, the chapter has disclosed that it absolutely supports the strike call made by the National Leadership of the Union, stating that it has commenced organising its members for it.

The Yaba College of Technology, Yabatech Chapter Chairman, Mr Remi Ajiboye, on Wednesday, declared that the government has been deceiving its members for a long time.

He said, “We are in total support of the call for a strike beginning from April 6 if the government fails to meet our demands. Nearly a week that we gave the strike notice, the government has not made any contact with the union.

“Our members here and even in Zone C, the South-West Zone are fully prepared for the strike and this is not going to be a child’s play. We are workers and not slaves and we should be treated as human beings who have feelings and commitments too.”

Recollect that ASUP, at their National Executive Council meeting in Katsina, blamed the government for neglecting to accomplish its side of the agreement made with the workers a few years back.

The National President, Mr Anderson Ezeibe, stated that the Federal Government has not paid 10 months arrears of the new minimum wage owed his members in Federal Polytechnics.

He added that some state governments were yet to execute the new wage for his members.

Ezeibe gave additional justifications for the proposed strike which consist of the contents Implementation of the Needs Assessment Report of 2014 in public Polytechnics and like institutions.

“Reconstitute governing councils in all Federal Polytechnics and in State-owned Polytechnics where such is yet to be constituted.

“Release owed Staff salaries in Abia, Ogun, Osun, Benue, Plateau, Edo and the Cross River States and implement full salary payments in Sokoto, Kaduna, Adamawa and other institutions with such reports.

“Release of promotion arrears in Federal Polytechnics and payment of same as well as annual increments in Adamawa, Plateau and other states with similar cases.

“Withdrawal of the letter containing spurious, incoherent and unsubstantiated claims of PAYE tax liabilities in 19 Federal Polytechnics.

“Ensure full implementation of the provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act as well as its domestication in Adamawa, Kano, Sokoto, Abia, Niger and other states affected.

“Stop attempts at forcing the ASUP members in Colleges of Agriculture out of the Union.

“And lastly implement the 65 years retirement age for academic Staff in State-owned institutions like in Kano, Kaduna and other states institutions in the country.”

Similarly, the Yabatech ASUP is likewise holding its yearly week festivities with events that include honouring some previous union leaders and retired people.