Union Threatens Strike Over Salary Arrears

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Chapter, last Wednesday threatened to embark on a one-week warning strike from March 26 over non-payment of salary arrears.

The union is demanding the payment of 18 months salary arrears on the Polytechnic, Colleges of Education and Monotechnics Academic Staff Salary Scale (CONPCASS).

In a communique it issued at the end of its regular congress at Ikorodu campus of the Polytechnic, the union gave the institution’s management a 72-hour ultimatum to make a commitment on the payment or face industrial unrest.

The communique was signed by the union’s Chairman, Mr Taofik Arowolo , and the General Secretary, Mr Taiwo Rabiu.

It recalled that “the union gave the management a 21-day notice of industrial action dated Jan. 18, 2012.

“A 14-day extension notice was served on the Feb. 17, 2012, which expired on the March 8, 2012.

“Yet another seven-day extension notice was issued on March 12, and it expired on the March 20, 2012.

“It was decided by a simple majority vote of 72 votes against 22 that the management should be issued a final 72-hour notice to make acceptable commitment on how and when the salary arrears will be paid, failure of which the union shall embark on a warning strike.”