The Joint Union of Plateau State-owned Tertiary Institutions (JUPTI), has issued a 48-hour ultimatum, threatening to embark on an indefinite strike action if the state government failed to address its various demands, which the union had put before it.
The union maintained that government had over time given deaf ears to its demands; hence, was being compelled to embark on an indefinite strike action.
The union’s position was made in a notice of strike signed by its Chairman Paul Dakogol and Secretary, Solomon Ayum; and was addressed to the State’s Head of Service, Izang Azi.
The letter dated April 10, entitled “Notice of Resumption of Indefinite Strike” was issued to journalists on Thursday in Jos the State capital on Thursday.
It would be recalled that in a letter dated January 28, 2019, and addressed to the Head of Service, the union had asked the government to address among other pertinent issues; the paucity of teaching and non teaching staff at the various institutions, non release of subvention to the institutions, 24-months pension arrears for retired staff owed by government, payment of peculiarity allowances, exemption of the institutions from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the non-payment of two months outstanding salaries owed staff in 2011.
The union in the notice also expressed worry over the recent withholding of the part of salaries of staff for the months of February and March, by the office of the Accountant General of the state without tangible reason.
“Arising from our meeting held April 10, JUPTI observed with concern the inability of government to address issues raised in our letter dated January 28 and even emerging ones.
“Consequently, we hereby issue a 48-hour ultimatum to the government to address all the outstanding issues we have put before it.
“Failure to meet up with these demands, the union will be left with no option than resume our earlier suspended strike at the expiration of this ultimatum,” the union warned.
It would be recalled that the Union had in September 2018, embarked on an indefinite strike over same issues raised, but later suspended it after much plea by government who promised to address all the demands; but till date has failed to do so.
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