Members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, have passed a resolution to begin industrial action to pursue their demands for payment of their outstanding 13 months’ salary arrears.

They vowed they would not participate in the institution’s first semester examination which begins next week.

Their resolution was reached after RUPIGO’s ASUP Congress was held last Thursday.

A communiqué issued after the Congress and signed by the union’s Chairman, Comrade Arikawe Ade and Secretary, Comrade Fapetu Damilola said the lecturers would begin the indefinite strike action on June 13th June 2023.

Read Also: ADB boss Adesina: How public bus driver, lecturers came to my rescue in US as I spent my last 25 cents few weeks into five-year studies

According to the communique, “We want the payment in full of all outstanding (13 Months) salary arrears owned by the staff of the institution.

“The Congress wishes to strongly emphasise that the decision above is binding on all the financial members of the union (ASUP),” the communiqué reads.

Comrade Arikawe said lecturers in the institution were faced with challenges as a result of a backlog of unpaid salaries.

He appealed to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to support the institution to clear the salary arrears.

Comrade Arikawe noted that the hike in fuel prices has compounded the lecturers’ hardship.

Arikawe added that, “reinstating of the former Chairman of the union Comrade Ijawoye Rafiu must be considered as his dismissal was based on union matter and not negligence.

Recall that Comrade Ijawoye Rafiu and the current Chairman Comrade Arikawe Ade were dismissed from the service of the institution without recourse to due process. Comrade Arikawe Ade had been recalled while Comrade Ijawoye Rafiu is left out.