As a result of unmet promotion arrears, underpaid academic allowances, and subpar working conditions, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) at the Federal Polytechnic in Ekowe, Bayelsa State, has ordered its members to go on an indefinite strike starting on Monday.
The union stated that the decision to go on strike was made at an emergency congress over a number of issues that are detrimental to the union’s members in a communique signed by the chairman, Comrade Agada Franklin, and the general secretary, Justin Ikirigo, and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.
The statement reads: “The following observations were made by the congress as unresolved issues; promotion implementation and arrears for; 2018 promotion arrears, 2019 promotion arrears, 2020 promotion implementation and its arrears, 2021 promotion implementation and its arrears, 2022 promotion implementation and its arrears till date.
“2023 Implementation of annual step increment and its arrears from January, 2023 to date, the agreed 2% academic allowance, Imprest, Infrastructural decay in the campus (Classrooms, Desks, and teaching aids).
“Running the institution from the liaison office after one decade of establishment, poor security in the campus, unkempt working environment and poor power supply that cripple academic activities.
“In the light of the above observations, congress resolved that effective on Monday 10th of July, 2023, the union shall embark on an indefinite strike.”