The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic (SSANIP) has declared a three-day warning strike starting Wednesday, January 22, 2025, to protest alleged plans to deny non-teaching staff in polytechnics and related institutions their rightful career progression.
SSANIP raised concerns about the ongoing revision of the Polytechnic Schemes of Service, particularly regarding the Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS) 15, which represents the highest career level equivalent to Level 17 in the civil service.
The union criticized opposition from certain stakeholders against the New Unified Scheme of Service for Polytechnics in Nigeria, which allows non-teaching staff to attain CONTEDISS 15, asserting that this opposition undermines equity within the system.
SSANIP’s National Secretary, Nura Gaya, issued the strike notice in a letter to various government bodies, including the Ministers of Education and Labour and Employment, the Head of Service of the Federation, and the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), among others.
In the letter, the union emphasized its commitment to equity and justice, stating:
“The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic (SSANIP) wishes to formally notify your esteemed office of our decision to embark on a three-day warning strike, scheduled to commence from midnight of Wednesday, January 22, 2025, through Friday, January 24, 2025, at the first instance.
This action has become imperative to further emphasize our position concerning the ongoing plot by certain stakeholders to unjustly deprive non-teaching staff of polytechnics and similar institutions of their rightful progression to the peak of their careers on CONTEDISS 15 on the ongoing redrafting of the Polytechnic Schemes of Service.”
The union expressed frustration over the lack of tangible results from previous engagements with relevant authorities, stating that this perceived marginalization of non-teaching staff is a direct affront to their efforts to ensure equity within the polytechnic system.
SSANIP clarified that its demands would not deprive teaching staff, as both categories of workers have distinct salary structures. The union called for urgent intervention to address its grievances and avert further disruptions in the polytechnic system while remaining open to dialogue for an amicable resolution.
