Poly union gives strike notice

Council of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) has said it would be left with no option but to embark on an indefinite strike if authorities fail to improve the ‘worsening’ working conditions of its members at the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa State, within a month.

The ultimatum was issued on Friday in Abuja by the National Secretary, Comrade Monday Peter Jegede, at press conference. He said regardless of complaint letters to relevant authorities, some members of the union at Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe have been allegedly working in unsafe conditions since 2016.

He said the in 2016, about twenty senior employees who were earlier upgraded by the previous council of the institution after the acquisition of membership of ANAN, were demoted on the” on the excuse that ANAN could not be used for such purpose.

He said the personnel concerned were further accused of act of lawlessness, unlawful association breach of peace but were absolved after an investigation. However, four of the personnel were suspended from work for “more than the statutory 3 month allowed by the polytechnics Act. As we speak, these Staff are still on indefinite suspension,” he said.

Again, a deputy registrar, who was an acting registrar, was allegedly demoted from Grade Level 14 to level 11 which defy and known regulation, he said.

Meanwhile, the Rector, Dr. Enitime Saiyaboh Idah has said by telephone that the allegations were untrue and the institution hasn’t received N469 million as the union claimed. He said the management had compiled all the issues raised by the union and would “respond appropriately.”