POLYTECHNIC workers across the country have declared a three-day warning strike scheduled from Wednesday, January 22, to Friday, January 24, 2025.
The strike is being organized by the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic (SSANIP), which accuses the authorities of marginalizing non-teaching staff and denying them appropriate career advancement opportunities.
In a letter dated January 14, 2025, addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the union’s secretary, Nura Gaya, stated that the strike is necessary to highlight their concerns over attempts by certain stakeholders to unjustly exclude non-teaching staff in polytechnics and related institutions from reaching the peak of their careers under CONTEDISS 15 in the ongoing revision of the Polytechnic Schemes of Service.
The letter emphasized SSANIP’s long-standing advocacy for equity and justice in the Polytechnic system, urging the implementation of career progression policies that benefit both teaching and non-teaching staff.
“Unfortunately, our previous efforts to engage with the relevant authorities have yielded minimal results, and the current actions against non-teaching staff are a direct challenge to our demands,” the letter noted.
“This warning strike underscores the seriousness of our grievances and our dedication to ensuring that non-teaching staff are neither marginalized nor denied their rightful career progression. Addressing this issue would not negatively impact teaching staff, as both categories of workers operate under distinct salary structures,” the union added.
SSANIP called on the Minister to take prompt and decisive measures to resolve the matter and prevent further escalation.
The union also reaffirmed its willingness to engage in constructive dialogue, expressing hope for an amicable resolution to avoid further disruptions in the Polytechnic system.
