From Ibrahim Suleiman, Zaria
Joint Union of Tertiary Institutions, Kaduna State Chapter, has demanded for the payment of consolidated salary structure to academic and non-academic staff of polytechnics and colleges of education by the state government.
State Chairman of the union, Mr Noah Dallami stated the in an interview with newsmen after the union’s meeting on Friday at Makarfi LGA.
Mr Noah Dallami said “Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary (CONPCASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS) are to be paid by Federal and State government owned institutions.
“Unfortunately, 12 years after such salary structure, academic and non-academic staffs from Polytechnic and Colleges of Education in Kaduna State were yet to benefit from such package,”
He also explained that the 65 years retirement age policy for staff of tertiary institutions had not been enforced in the state.
According to him, the union has held series of meetings with state government on the issues since 2015, agreements and pledges made by government to address the challenge has not been achieved.
Mr Danlami said in 2020, the union re-issued notice for industrial action which was hinged on the non-implementation of 65 years retirement age policy and new salary structure.
“Kaduna state government established another committee chaired by Dr Shehu Makarfi, Commissioner for Education.
“The union and state government enter into another agreement which eventually made the union to shelve its plan industrial action.
“However, up till now, the agreement and understandings were yet to be enforced, hence our meeting to navigate solutions,’’ he said.
The chairman also lamented that the poor funding of tertiary institutions in the state was negatively affecting the education sector.