Ondo State-owned Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo (Rugipo), has suspended the activities of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) and the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) following the Unions resolve to commence their earlier suspended industrial action.

SSANIP, had in a letter dated 4th January, 2022 and addressed to the Polytechnic Rector, Mr. Gani Ogundahunsi, saying “the congress-in-session resolves to resume the indefinite strike action suspended on Monday 8th November, 2021”

Though SSANIP said it was unanimously agreed at its congress to the deduction of two percent as monthly due from membersʼ salary to the coffer of the union, but its members are languishing in acute pain over 13 months and 35% of salary arrears owed.

The letter which was signed by association’s Chairman and Secretary, Comr. Olowolade Chris and Comr. Ojo Akinyemi, respectively, urged the State Government and the Rugipo management to consider the grouses of the union and do the needful.

But the management, in a circular dated same 4th of January, 2022, with Ref no AD/130/VOL/XIII/437, suspended the union for “calling out its members to withdraw their services to the institution until further notice”

In the circular signed by the Institution’s Registrar, Atiku Sule, the management said a meeting was held with the leadership of SSANIP and NASU on Monday, 3rd of January, 2022 over issues bordering on workersʼ welfare particularly arrears of salaries being owed and subvention arrears recently approved and released by the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to the Institution.

It further said it was resolved at the said meeting that the released subvention be paid as follows: “35% balance for the month of January, 2021; 100% for the month of February, 2021; 100% for the month of March. 2021”

“And that the balances of 50% for June and 50% for July, 2021 as canvassed by the Unions be used to pay whatever percentage amount of the December, 2016 salary arrears as soon as the receives it”

“This position of the Unions, is however, subject to the approval of Government that it be used in the defrayment of same”

The management who wondered why the unions would still embark on strike despite the Monday’s meeting said, “activities of the union are hereby suspended forthwith” because the “development which constitutes an obvious threat to the peaceful and smooth-running of the Institution”

“coupled with the fact that it could lead to the disruption of the academic activities of the second semester in the 2020/2021 Academic Session” and jeopardize the ongoing admission process of fresh students given the time frame of 30th January, 2022 for closure of admission portal by JAMB, as well as accreditation exercise billed to start on Monday 10th January, 2022”, it said.