By Festus Ahon
UGHELLI—ACADEMIC and administrative activities in the three Delta State polytechnics in Oghara, Ogwash-Uku, and Ozoro and the State College of Physical Education, Mosogar have been grounded, as their unions yesterday embarked on an indefinite strike over members’ welfare.

The unions include the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), and Non Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (NASUP).

Chairman of ASUP, Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Engr. Okeoghene Ebiobi, told Vanguard on the telephone last night that  the decision to embark on the indefinite strike was informed by the insensitivity of the state government to the demands of the unions.

According to him, the demands of the union include payment of 28 days hotel allowance for staff members of the union upon appointment and stoppage of pension deductions from staff members salaries.

He said the union was also asking for a refund of the amount deducted as pension from 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).

Ebiobi said there would be no going back on the strike until the demands of the unions were met, adding that a monitoring team had been put in place to ensure full compliance.

He stated that the Joint Executive Council of the unions was constrained to declare the strike, noting that any staff member of the union found in the schools premises would sanctioned.