Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has called on federal government to prevail on some polytechnics management to stop victimising their members for participating in union activities.
Specifically, the union accused the institutions for withholding check-off dues belonging to them, having deducting same from ASUP members.
National President of ASUP Comrade Usman Dutse, who spoke at the weekend after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, said the union cannot take such development likely.
He said chapters of the union would hold congresses in two weeks to take referendum on the next line of action.
“The emergency NEC was call to update and review the status of our struggle with both Federal and State governments, particularly on the lingering crisis that is going for long.
“They have made several promises and gave assurances, but yet to be address, particularly, the payment of salaries in state institutions, despite bailout funds and Paris club refund. But still some states are owing up to seven months.
“They are Edo state polytechnic, Abia State Polytechnic, Kogi state Polytechnic, Benue state Polytechnic and other state institutions. Also we have others like Osun and Oyo states who have been receiving half salaries for the past 24 months. Even with the appeal by the President for the state governors to address this challenges, they remain adamant and continue to divert the funds to a different thing.
“We also have issues that are emanating, particularly the issue of victimisation of our members where some institutions are withholding check off dues after deductions. We believed that government is deliberately doing that to frustrate the activities of the union.
“NEC in session after deliberations on the issues, directed chapter chairmen of the union to hold congresses within two weeks from now and take a decision on the next line of action”.
Comrade Dutse, while commending federal government for constituting a committee for the re-negotiation of 2010 FG/ASUP agreement, also lament over shortfall in personnel.
“Also we have the issue of shortfall in personnel, unpaid allowances and promotion arrears at the Federal polytechnics. The NEC also deliberated on the Polytechnic Act and urge the lawmakers to pass the bill into law.
“The need assessment has been there since 2014 without processing and the equipment in the institutions are dilapidated and we believe is through that need assessment that all this issues can be address.
“In our last discussion with the Minister, he promised that these things would be address immediately but we don’t trust government because same promises were made in the past without addressing them for the past three years”, Dutse added.
