By Banji Ayoola
Hope brightened on Monday of an end to the ongoing strike at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, RUGIPO, any moment from now, as the institution’s Management and workers’ unions met, and pledged cooperation on finding new ways to resolve the crisis.
In fact, contrary to what had been prevailing, the atmosphere surrounding the venue of Monday’s meeting, as well as on the entire campus, was friendlier.
Both sides commended Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for clearing the backlog of salaries owed the institution’s workers, a major point of the dispute, and for confirming the appointment of a substantive Rector, another point of conflict.
Remarkably, at Monday’s meeting, both the institution’s Management and union leaders “reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement in the interest of peace, stability, and the continued progress of the Polytechnic.”
Reporting what transpired at the meeting in a statement, the institution’s spokesman, Mr Olumide Olugosi, gave the picture of a positive development following Monday’s meeting.
According to Olugosi’s statement, titled “RUGIPO Management, unions meet over strike, seek way forward”:
“The Management of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, on Monday, April 20, met with leaders of staff unions as part of ongoing efforts to resolve the industrial crisis in the institution.
“Speaking at the meeting, the Rector, Dr. Olorunwa Simon Adegun, commended the Ondo State Governor, Hon. (Dr.) Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for his interventions, particularly the payment of outstanding salary arrears, recent appointments into key positions, and the constitution of a committee to address the implementation of the new minimum wage.
“He emphasised the need for sustained collaboration between Management and staff unions to ensure a unified position ahead of engagements with the Government-appointed committee.
“Adegun also appealed to the unions to reconsider their position on the ongoing industrial action in the interest of stability and progress of the Polytechnic, urging all parties to recognise the Government’s commitment to finding lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the institution.
“In their separate remarks, the union leaders acknowledged the Government’s intervention, especially the payment of salary arrears, but maintained that the implementation of the new minimum wage remains the core issue behind the strike.
“The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Comrade Samuel Ade Arikawe, congratulated the Rector and Deputy Rector on their appointments and assured Management of continued cooperation, while stressing the need to address staff welfare, including minimum wage implementation and promotion matters.
“Similarly, the Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), Comrade Saka-Olokungboye Nurudeen, appreciated the payment of arrears but reiterated that the new minimum wage remains central to the industrial action, noting that the unions remain critical stakeholders in the progress of the institution.
“Management also condemned reported acts of unruly behaviour by students towards staff, assuring that appropriate measures would be taken to prevent a recurrence.
“Both Management and union leaders reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement in the interest of peace, stability, and the continued progress of the Polytechnic.”
