Despite cessation by general workers, Plateau Polytechnic workers continue strike

Striking lecturers in the state have been asked to resume work while negotiations continue.

In spite of the suspension on Monday of a three and half month industrial action embarked on by tertiary institution workers in Plateau State, polytechnic lecturers may not commence work as their union said it will not allow its members to resume work until its ongoing national strike was over.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Clement Chairman, in a chat with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, said “The ASUP national strike affects every member, with Plateau State inclusive.”

He listed the institutions affected in the state as Plateau State Polytechnic; School of Health Technology, Zawan; Collage of Education, Gindri; and School of Art and Science, Kwrigiw.

“They cannot resume work at the moment until we resolve our issues with Federal Government,” Mr. Chairman said.

Prior to embarking on a nationwide strike, ASUP, during its 73rd National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in March, had decried the delay in the review of the Polytechnic Act and the non-release of government white paper on the visitation panel to the polytechnics.

During the strike action by the Plateau Joint Union of Tertiary Institutions, the state government, through the Commissioner for Information, Yilja Abraham, threatened to sack the striking workers should they fail to resume work. The threat was later rescinded.

On Monday, chairman of the joint workers’ union, Victor Dawurun, said the union was suspending the strike following the personal intervention of the state’s Head of Service, Ezekiel Dalyop, and an appeal by the State House of Assembly for members of the union to put the strike action on hold while they allow negotiations continue.