The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) at the Federal Polytechnic (FedPoly), Ukana in Essien Udim local government area of Akwa Ibom State, has served the management of the institution a notice to commence a 7-day warning strike from tomorrow, June 10.
To emphasize their point, the lecturers staged a peaceful protest around the campus at the weekend as a pre-strike notice.
The protesters began the protest after a brief congress meeting held at the institution’s TETfund auditorium, expressing their disappointment over management’s poor handling of their demands which they listed to include non-payment of 38 percent balance of salary shortfall, non-payment of promotion arrears, forceful conversion of staff, among others.
They marched to the rector’s office, displaying placards carrying various inscriptions and chanting solidarity songs and called for full implementation of their demands.
Some of the placards read: “SSANIP says no to unnecessary transfer of members,” “No to forceful conversion of staff, pay us our 38 percent balance of salary shortfall (2016-2018)” and “Pay us our correct salary placement arrears (2015-2018).”
Chairman of SSANIP in the institution, Comrade Tamunosiki Daka, said they were not out to fight anybody but to demand for their welfare.
He expressed disappointment that management has been paying deaf ears to issues affecting the association including the personnel salaries shortfalls since 2015 despite frequent reminders.
