Polytech and Napwu report progress on talks

POLYTECHNIC Rector Tjama Tjivikua yesterday said progress was being made on the stalled recognition agreement between his institution and the Namibia Public Workers’ Union.

Despite his hard stance early this week on allowing union membership deductions from employee salaries, Tjivikua said yesterday that he was in talks with the union about this issue.Union members say it is only a formality before the deductions will be made.Napwu and the Polytechnic have been involved in a two-year recognition fight with both parties digging in their heels and at times taking unreconcilable positions that made negotiations virtually impossible. This week Polytechnic workers resorted to lunchtime picketing to drive their point home and on Tuesday presented management with a petition.Tjivikua hit back and took out an advertisement in a local daily in which he detailed the acrimonious relationship between the two parties.Union representatives and workers were planning a meeting last night to decide whether to continue with their lunchtime protest as planned until management decides to sign a recognition agreement.