Rufus Giwa Poly lecturers threaten strike over unpaid salaries

The Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, (RUGIPO) lecturers under the auspices of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) have threatened a showdown with the management and state government over their 13 months of unpaid salaries.

The lecturers who threatened not to be part of the first-semester examination of the institution which starts on Tuesday, June 13, lamented that some members of the union have been living from hand to mouth and could not afford to take proper care of their families due to the unpaid salaries.

The lecturers also threatened to embark on industrial action to pursue their demands for payment of the outstanding 13 months’ salary if the state government failed to pay their salary before next week.

In a communique signed by the Union’s Chairman, Arikawe Ade and Secretary, Fapetu Damilola at the end of the congress held on Thursday said there is no going back on the industrial strike.

The communique read: “After much emphasis and extensive deliberation, the Congress unanimously agreed to withdraw the services of members from participating in the scheduled First Semester Examination exercise which is proposed to commence on 13th June 2023, until the condition below is met.

“The union before arriving at the decision, observed that the hardship or challenges of the current price of fuel on their members and attendance to their official duties is making it extremely difficult.

“We want the payment in full of all outstanding (13 months) salary arrears owned by the staff of the institution.

“The Congress wish to strongly emphasise that the decision above is binding on all the financial members of the union (ASUP).”

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