Polytechnic workers in the country are set to embark on a three-day warning strike from Wednesday, January 22, to Friday, January 24, 2025.
The workers, under the auspices of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic (SSANIP), while making the announcement, accused the authorities of marginalizing non-teaching staff members and denying them deserved career progression.
The union, through its secretary, Nura Gaya, in a letter dated January 14, 2025, and addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the warning strike has become imperative to voice their grievances over the marginalization.
“We want to emphasize our position concerning the ongoing plot by certain stakeholders to unjustly deprive Non-Teaching Staff of Polytechnics and Similar Institutions of their rightful progression to the peak of their careers on CONTEDISS 15 in the ongoing redrafting of the Polytechnic Schemes of Service.
“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, and 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, which, if heeded, will not in any way be a deprivation to the Teaching Staff, as both categories of workers have distinct salary structures.
“We implore your office to take urgent and decisive steps to address this issue and forestall any further escalation.
“We remain open to constructive dialogue and hope that this matter will be resolved amicably to avert further disruptions in the Polytechnic system,” the letter read in part.