Staff members of the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, under the aegis of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), on Friday, began a seven-day warning strike with a protest walk around the school premises to press for their demands.
The workers, who commenced the protest after a brief congress held at the institution’s TETFund auditorium, expressed disappointment over management’s poor handling of their demands which they noted include non-payment of 38% balance of salary shortfall, non-payment of promotion arrears, and forceful conversion of staffs among others.
Rising from the congress, the protesters reportedly matched to the Rector’s Office, displaying placards and chanting solidarity songs, while calling for full implementation of their demands
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, ‘SSANIP says no to unnecessary transfer of members’, ‘No to forceful conversion of staffs’, ‘Pay us our 38% balance salary shortfall (2016–2018), ‘Pay us our correct salary placement arrears (2015-2018)’ and other demands.
While addressing the protesters, the Chairman of SSANIP, Federal Polytechnic, Ukana chapter, Mr Tamunosiki Daka, said they were not out to fight anybody but to demand for their welfare.
He expressed disappointment that the management has been turning deaf ears to all issues of the association, including the personnel salaries shortfalls since 2015 despite frequent reminders.
