Oyo State Tertiary Institutions Begin Three-Day Warning Strike Over Unresolved Demands
Oyo State begins three day strike
By AmforGod J. Olisa
Academic and non-academic activities at state-owned tertiary institutions in Oyo State have been halted as staff unions embark on a three-day warning strike starting Wednesday, May 29, 2024. The strike, organized by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Trade Unions, aims to press home their demands from the government.
The JAC includes the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN). The institutions affected include The Polytechnic Ibadan, The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic Saki, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa, Oyo State College of Education Lanlate, and Oyo State College of Agricultural Technology Igboora.
In a statement signed by JAC Secretary, Akin Adekanbi, the unions expressed frustration over the government’s failure to address their demands despite numerous ultimatums and meetings. The demands include:
1. **Implementation of 25/35% Salary Increment:** The unions demand the immediate implementation of this increment, which has already been applied at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), and the payment of arrears from January 2023.
2. **Abolition of Platinum Consultant Deductions:** The unions call for an end to the 10% revenue deductions by the Platinum Consultant, which they argue is a financial burden on the institutions.
3. **Salary Augmentation:** The unions seek full government subvention to replace the current policy of using internally generated revenue (IGR) to augment salaries.
4. **Regularization of Casual Workers:** The unions demand the regularization of casual staff and the employment of more teaching and non-teaching staff.
5. **Constitution of Governing Councils:** The unions stress the need for the immediate constitution of governing councils to facilitate policy decisions and promotions.
6. **Payment of Salary Arrears:** The unions call for the settlement of 2018/2019 salary arrears for staff at specific institutions.
7. **Issuance of 2023 Promotion Letters:** The unions demand the issuance of promotion letters to senior staff, delayed due to the absence of governing councils.
The statement urged Oyo State Governor, Mr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, to intervene and resolve the issues to avoid further industrial actions. The JAC remains committed to the progress and welfare of the institutions and hopes for a swift response from the government.
