The meeting between the federal government and the Academic Staff of Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, on Monday, December 17, 2018, ended in a deadlock.
Usman Duste, the national president of ASUP, speaking to journalists shortly after the meeting which lasted almost 5 hours between the union and government officials, said it was impossible to end the strike as the issues that prompted the action were still pending.
According to him, a later date after the Christmas holiday will be communicated to the union by the federal government team.
He said: “We have met with the government officials and we have discussed the issue thoroughly and it is not possible for us to resolve the strike in the meeting.
“All the issues were discussed but like I told you, we will not be able to resolve them now and we we have agreed to reconvene again.
“We have the issue of NEEDS assessment, we have the issue of CONTISS 15 arrears, we have the issue of the scheme of service, and the issue of non payment of salaries in state owned institutions, and then we have the issue of victimised members. So these are the major issues and there are others.
“They will pass the date to us. We have agreed on a date but will conclude by Friday. The meeting can’t definitely be before Christmas.”
Dutse had announced that although the federal government invited the union for dialogue, the strike continues till all issues are resolved.
Recall that the ASUP commenced an indefinite strike action on Wednesday, December 12, over non-implementation of the 2009 and 2017 agreement reached with the union by the federal government.
