Contrary to speculations that the Plateau state government is not owning it civil servants, Workers at the Government own Tertiary Institutions will this week shut down academic activities over non-payment of their salaries spanning to five months.
The workers, under the umbrella body of Joint Union of Plateau state Owned Tertiary Institutions (JUPTI) in a press release issued in Jos, gives seven day ultimatum with effect from 23rd August 2018 for government to pay it outstanding salaries, or face industrial action.
“At the end the seven day (7) working days ultimatum, government failed to pay the salaries, (JUPTI) shall resume it’s suspended indefinite strike.” The press text stated.
The press text was jointly signed by Comrade Paul Dakogol, chairman, and Comrade Ayum Solomon secretary of the Joint Union of Plateau state Owned Tertiary Institutions (JUPTI) and made available to Journalists.
It stressed “that a seven (7) working days ultimatum is hereby issued to the government of Plateau state with effect from Thursday 23rd August 2018 within which all outstanding withheld salaries be paid without further delay.”
According to the release, the outstanding salaries had lingered since 18 January 2016 in court, but government pleaded for out of court settlement, but government refuse to honor it agreement of paying the outstanding salaries.
“The union observe with concern the failure of the government to fulfil it’s promise and hence issued a communiqué dated 12th July, 2018 on resolution of JUPTI among which include the complete payment of the outstanding salaries be paid on or before 31 July 2018.”
The two page industrial action ultimatum copied commissioner for higher education of the state, the chairman committee of governing council, Plateau state, director State Security Service SSS, house committee on labour, at the Plateau state house of assembly and chairman house committee on education of the state legislators.
The industrial action if not averted, it will affect Plateau university Bokkos, Plateau state Polytechnic Barkinlad, School of health technology Zawan and Pankshi, School of remedial studies Kurigwi, College of Education Gindiri, Collage of Agriculture Garkawa among others.
