The Joint Council Unions of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic at Ikot Osurua in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area have served a notice of an indefinite strike starting Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
The notice comes amidst first semester examinations and it is likely to disrupt academic activities.
Backed by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), the workers are demanding the Immediate implementation of the 35% and 25% salary increases approved by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission since September 2023.
They are also kicking against the new minimum wage tables (CONTEDISS, CONPCASS, and CONTISS) released by the state government allegedly without inputs from the unions.
The unions are also demanding the approval of domestic servants for senior staff members (up to 5 for CONTEDISS 15/CONPCASS 09).
Speaking during its congress, ASUP chairperson, Nyeneime Victor Raphael, slammed the Akwa Ibom State Government for ignoring multiple letters sent through the Head of Service.
“On January 28, 2025, we rejected the wage tables released by the state government due to glaring irregularities. Sadly,” our position was ignored.
She revealed that the unions were excluded from the wage negotiation process and accused the state government of failing to implement salary increments already effected in other states adding that they would not withdraw the notice until their demands are met.
The Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Moses Umobong could not be reached for his reaction as his phone line was turned off.
