The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) is preparing to go on strike across the country since the Federal Government has not paid them for the last five months.
Remember that due to salary withholding, the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) are already on an indefinite strike.
Without further informing the Federal Government, which it said has repeatedly disregarded their demands in a series of ultimatums, NAAT leadership has suggested November 14, 2024, as the tentative date to start the indefinite strike.
Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, the president of NAAT, announced the impending action Wednesday during a press conference held at the Nigeria Labour Congress headquarters in Abuja.
According to Nwokoma, it is very disappointing and sad that the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy have failed to implement President Bola Tinubu’s waiver and clearance to pay five and a half months’ worth of salaries that NAAT members are due.
According to him, the development begs more questions than it does answers regarding the Federal Government’s genuine commitment to resolving the problems and easing the suffering of Nigerians, especially NAAT members.
He stated, “It may interest you to note that several efforts were made in the past including series of letters, protests, visits, notices of ultimatums and several Memorandum of Understanding (MOUS) freely entered between NAAT and Federal Government (i.e MOU of 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2022) as the result of efforts by Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment as conciliator of the Federal Government but all to no avail especially the last ultimatum in respect of withheld salaries and other issues which was not even acknowledged by the Federal Government (Federal Ministries of Education and Labour & Employment) which elapsed on the 21 M October, 2024.
“This is the highest level of insensitivity on the part of the relevant Agencies of Government.
“Consequent upon the above, the Union having reviewed the situation critically decided to give Federal Government additional two (2) weeks ultimatum, with effect from 30th of October 2024.
“The National Executive Council (NEC) has directed all her Branches in Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education to hold a nationwide protest to drive home our demands.
“Within the two weeks’ ultimatum, branches have been directed to hold congresses and conduct referendum to decide if the union will proceed on strike once the 14 days’ ultimatum expires on the 13th of November 2024.
“If at the end of the 14-day ultimatum there is no positive response from government, the union will embark on a national protest which will culminate into a total and indefinite strike without recourse to government.
“This decision is in line with our concern for the tertiary education system so as not to disrupt the academic calendar which will eventually affect research and practical teaching; Laboratory, Workshop, Farm and Studio practices and the attendant monumental loss of resources.”
Recall that the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement has not been fully implemented, academic technologists have not received the enabling circular for the execution of CONTISS 14 & 15, and NAAT grievances are related to the purported non-payment of five and a half months of withholding salaries.
Other complaints include the failure to implement the Student Work Experience Program (SWEP) Allowance, Field Trip Allowance, and Student Technologist Staff Ratio Supplementation Allowance; the failure to conclude the renegotiation of the FGN/NAAT 2009 Agreement; the failure to pay members’ earned allowance arrears; the failure to provide funds for the improvement of public university laboratories, workshops, and studios; and the failure to pay members who were excluded minimum wage arrears for the period of April 2019 to January 2020.
