Polytechnic Workers Announce Three-Day Warning Strike Over Career Progression Disputes
Polytechnic workers across Nigeria, under the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic (SSANIP), have declared a three-day warning strike set to run from Wednesday, January 22, to Friday, January 24, 2025.
The strike is in response to what the union describes as the marginalization of non-teaching staff and the denial of their rightful career progression within the Polytechnic system.
In a letter dated January 14, 2025, addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, SSANIP’s Secretary, Nura Gaya, highlighted the reasons for the industrial action. The letter stated that the warning strike aims to draw attention to a perceived plot to deprive non-teaching staff of their rightful progression to the peak of their careers on the CONTEDISS 15 scale as part of the ongoing redrafting of the Polytechnic Schemes of Service.
The letter emphasized:
“SSANIP has consistently championed the cause of equity and justice within the Polytechnic system and has repeatedly called for the implementation of career progression policies that accommodate both teaching and non-teaching staff.
“Regrettably, our previous engagements with relevant authorities have yielded little to no tangible results. The current machinations against non-teaching staff represent a direct affront to these efforts.
“This strike is, therefore, a warning to underscore the seriousness of our grievances and our unwavering commitment to ensuring that non-teaching staff are not marginalized or denied their deserved career progression. Addressing this concern will not in any way deprive teaching staff, as both categories of workers have distinct salary structures.”
SSANIP urged the Ministry of Education to take immediate and decisive action to address the issue and prevent further escalation.
“We implore your office to address this matter urgently to forestall disruptions in the Polytechnic system. We remain open to constructive dialogue and hope for an amicable resolution,” the letter concluded.
The warning strike highlights the union’s frustration with the lack of resolution from prior engagements and serves as a prelude to potential larger-scale actions if their demands are not addressed.
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