The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic has announced the plan to embark on a three-day warning strike over what it described as a threat to career progression of its members.
This was contained in a letter sent to the Ministry of Labour alongside the National Board for Technical Education and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
The letter, signed by the National Secretary of the Union, Nura Gaya, and sighted by The PUNCH on Sunday, noted that the union had made efforts to engage with the government on the plot to deprive non-teaching staff of polytechnics career progression in the civil service to no effect.
“Our union wishes to formally notify your esteemed office of our decision to embark on a three-day warning strike, scheduled to commence from midnight of Wednesday, January 22, 2025, through Friday, January 24, 2025, at the first instance. This action has become imperative to further emphasise our position concerning the ongoing plot by certain stakeholders to unjustly deprive Non-Teaching Staff of Polytechnics and Similar Institutions of their rightful progression to the peak of their careers on CONTEDISS 15 on the ongoing redrafting of the Polytechnic Schemes of Service.
“SSANIP has consistently championed the cause of equity and justice within the Polytechnic system and has repeatedly called for the implementation of career progression policies that accommodate both teaching and non-teaching staff. Regrettably, our previous engagements with relevant authorities have yielded little to no tangible results, and the current machinations against non-teaching staff represent a direct affront to these efforts.
“This strike is, therefore, a warning to underscore the seriousness of our grievances and our unwavering commitment to ensuring that non-teaching staff are not marginalised or denied their deserved career progression, which, if heeded, will not in any way be a deprivation to the teaching staff as both cadres of workers have distinct salary structure.
“We implore your office to take urgent and decisive steps to address this issue and forestall any further escalation.”
The union, however, noted that it remained open to constructive dialogue and hoped that this matter would be resolved amicably to avert further disruptions in the polytechnic system.
