The ongoing strike by the Non-Academic Staff Union of the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osla, on Thursday assumed another dimension as its members blocked all doors leading to the institution to assert their demand for 65-year retirement age.
Students and teachers thronging for morning classes were denied entry to the campus while all gates were barricaded by disgruntled trade unionists.
Workers holding a banner at the gate urged the state government to "please come and save the situation by fixing the retirement age at 65".
It was gathered that to bring the situation under control, the intervention of the head of the security service of the Polytechnic was required, who ordered the gates to be opened.
However, all the issues being agitated for by the union are yet to be resolved as the strike enters the second week.
But a lecturer who spoke on condition of anonymity said the strike is a “case of jealousy against the academic staff who were granted 70 years as retirement age.
He pointed out that non -academic staff had gone too far by blocking the exit, for other workers and students accessing facilities.
"If a non-academic staff member wants 65 years, they should change their status to academic staff member and enjoy the privileges.
He should also write a book to contribute to the knowledge of the academic community,"
He noted that non-academic staff had gone too far by locking the doors, thereby denying other staff and students access to the institution.
He said: “In the university system, the retirement age for professors is 70.
Other University staff are also benefiting from their 65 years of service: the remaining five years will be dedicated to research and writing, enabling them to share the experience they have gained over these years with the University community before retiring.
"If a non-academic staff member wants 65 years, they should change their status to academic staff member and enjoy its privileges. He should also write a book to contribute to the knowledge of the academic community."
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