The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), has suspended its proposed nationwide strike, this it said is to to provide the needed support that would enable the Federal Government contain and prevent a further spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the country.

According to  a statement made available to newsmen weekend in Abuja, ASUP President, Anderson Ezeibe, noted that despite government’s shortcomings and insensitivity to the plight of its members, it had resolved to suspend the planned action pending when things normalizes in the country for both parties  to address the issues.

According to the Union, some key disputes under contention includes; salary arrears to members totaling 17 months in some states, continued victimization of union’s officials in some institutions, non release of the agreed revitalization fund in lieu of the anticipated implementation of the NEEDS Assessment survey report for public Polytechnics since 2014, and non conclusion of the renegotiation of the union’s 2010 agreement with the government.

Other issues are; violations of extant provisions of the Polytechnics Act (2019 Amendment) by governing councils of some Polytechnics, unilateral suspension of the rapid response committee by the Federal Ministry of Education leading to the non release of promotion arrears since 2017, non release of arrears of CONTISS 15 migration for the lower cadre and non release of the reviewed Scheme of Service and Conditions of Service for Polytechnics.

Despite all the issues raised and government failure to address them the Union said it will continue to show patriotism by encouraging its members to observe the requisite safety protocols as prescribed within this challenging period and beyond.

But the union however expects the government to provide the enabling environment to ensure an all-encompassing and sustainable victory against not only the COVID-19 pandemic, but also against other similar diseases ravaging our nation.”