ASUP’s strike threat may ground academic activities in Delta polys

By Festus Ahon
UGHELLI—ACADEMIC activities in the three Delta State Polytechnics in Oghara, Ogwashi-Uku, and Ozoro and the State College of Physical Education, Mosogar, may be grounded, following  threats by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) of the schools to embark on indefinite strike beginning today.

Vanguard reliably gathered that some of the reasons for the strike were failure of Delta State government to accede to the union’s request for the stoppage of pension deductions from staff salaries.

Other reasons include refund of the amount deducted since April 2007 till date and the implementation of the New Salary Structure and payment of arrears in the four Delta State Higher Education Project (DSHEP).

A reliable source told Vanguard that the Joint Executive Council of the unions was constrained to declare the strike.

It was also learnt that the strike is to compel the state government to take the path of honour for once and grant the unions’ requests.

It was reliably gathered that several meetings with the commissioners for Higher Education and Economic Planning on the issues did not yield results, but rather revealed the lack of sense of urgency and insincerity on government’s approach to the issues raised.