Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) at Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, located in Essien Udim Local Government Area, have commenced a seven-day warning strike to protest against unresolved demands.
The protest started on Friday with a demonstration around the school premises following a brief congress meeting held at the institution’s TEFfund auditorium.
The workers expressed their discontent over the management’s handling of their issues, which include the non-payment of a 38% balance of salary shortfall, non-payment of promotion arrears, and forceful conversion of staff, among others. Displaying placards with various inscriptions, the protesters marched to the Rector’s office, chanting solidarity songs and demanding the full implementation of their demands.
Inscriptions on the placards read: “SSANIP says no to unnecessary transfer of members”, “No to forceful conversion of staff”, “Pay us our 38 per cent balance salary shortfall (2016–2018)”, and “Pay us our correct salary placement arrears (2015-2018) and other demands”.
Addressing the protesters, SSANIP chairman at the polytechnic, Mr. Tamunosiki Daka, emphasized that their demonstration was aimed at securing their welfare and not to confront any individual. He criticized the management for ignoring the association’s issues, including salary shortfalls since 2015, despite repeated reminders.
“SSANIP welfare is my topmost priority. How can we talk about welfare without them giving us our arrears of what they owe us?” Daka stated. He further mentioned that despite numerous meetings with the management, no satisfactory response had been provided regarding their demands.
The congress had issued a seven-day ultimatum and adhered to the procedural requirements by notifying the management 21 days, 14 days, and 7 days in advance of the strike.
Daka warned that by Monday, all offices, including that of the Rector, would be shut down if their demands were not met. “We have been begging for the past six months.
How would you tell me that appointing a teaching staff into the position of ICT is a right decision? By Monday, no office will be opened in this place. We are going to shut down every office, including that of the Rector,” he threatened.
