The teaching and the non-teaching staff of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike from Tuesday, October 2.
The staff made this known after an emergency meeting held at the institution’s auditorium following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum they issued.
Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of the Institution (ASUP) comrade Promise Igoma and the secretary of the Non-teaching Senior Staff of the Institution (SSANIP) comrade Raymond Kaine, who addressed newsmen after the emergency meeting in Port Harcourt, said the decision to embark on an indefinite strike is due to the alleged failure by the Rivers State government to address their demands after an initial two weeks notice.
According to the comrades, the joint union is asking the Rivers State government to improve on the infrastructure in the Institution, approve the 65-year retirement age for staff, implement the consolidated salary structure and discourage the alleged interference of the State Ministry of Health.
The Asup Chairman of the Institution said ” We resolved to follow due process and to ensure that all legal procedures are met in embarking on the indefinite strike.
“Another seven days notice was issued and after the expiration, the academic staff and the non-teaching senior staff of the college will embark on an indefinite strike until college of health is restored to its glory.
Also, the Secretary of the college union of non-teaching senior staff (SSANIP), com. Raymond, said ” We want to exercise due process in anything the union does towards embarking on the indefinite strike, that is what we are doing so that every quarter will look at our pains and yearnings.
“We gave a seven-day grace after the elapse of the previous fourteen days and after that, we will embark on maximum strike indefinitely.
