The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has withdrawn a notice to resume an indefinite strike slated to commence today.
The union, following meetings with the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and members of the House Committee on Education in Abuja on Tuesday directed its members nationwide to continue to execute their duties at the places of work.
The Public Relations Officer of ASUP, Comrade Clement Chirman, said in a telephone conversation that the outcome of the meetings would be relayed to the National Executive Committee of the union.
He added that the union would continue to engage the government in dialogue to resolve the issues.
He disclosed that the lawmakers have agreed to expedite action on the legislative related demands of the lecturers which also include the passing into law a bill establishing a National Polytechnic Commission.
Earlier, the negotiating team of the union met with officials of the Ministry of Education and the Minister, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau for over two hours.
They however did not brief waiting newsmen on the outcome of the meeting.
But a source privy to details of the with the Education Minister, said the Minister at the meeting ordered the immediate withdrawal of a controversial circular issued by the Ministry directing the suspension of CONTISS 15 in the polytechnics.
The source further disclosed that the Minister also over-rode and revoked the decisions by the Governing Councils of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, and Federal Polytechnic Ekiti proscribing unions and their activities, and ordering the sack of union leaders. – Thisday.
