Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Representatives of the Federal Government and that of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), on Tuesday, entered into crucial meeting in Abuja, to discuss highlighted issues that could possibly lead to industrial crisis in the school.
ASUP President, Usman Dutse, in a statement last Sunday threatened that the union will soon embark on strike to register their discontent with the attitude of government towards issues that concerns the institutions.
He was particularly concerned about the inability of government to reverse the growing trend of neglect of the technical education and lackadaisical attitude of government toward implementation several agreements reached with the union.
Other contentious areas include the non payment of negotiated allowances in polytechnics; non payment of salaries and other staff entitlements in many state owned institutions; non release of CONTISS 15 migration arrears; infractions in the appointment process of rectors in polytechnics; non passage of the amendment bill of the Polytechnics Act; victimization of union officers
Ministry spokesman, Ben Goong, in a statement said the Federal Government representatives was led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Sunny Echono, with impressive representation from ASUP.
He was hopeful that the meeting will produce positive outcome that would guarantee industrial peace and harmony in the Polytechnics.