NAAT to embark on indefinite strike over withheld salaries

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to embark on a nationwide strike over five months withheld salaries and non-implementation of other demands.

The NAAT President, Ibeji Nwokoma, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

The union’s demands also include the full implementation of the 2009 FGN/ NAAT Agreement and the release of enabling circulars for the implementation of CONTISS 14 and 15 for Academic Technologists.

Others are the implementation of the Students’ Work Experience Programme (SWEP) allowance, field trip allowance, and students’ technologist staff ratio supplementation allowance.

Nwokoma said several efforts were made in the past including a series of letters, protests, visits, notices of ultimatums, and several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUS) freely entered into by NAAT and the federal government, to no avail

“It is unfortunate that despite President Bola Tinubu’s approval to pay five and half month salaries owed, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy is yet to effect it,” he said.

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According to him, consequent upon the above, the union, having reviewed the situation critically, decided to give the federal government an additional two weeks ultimatum, with effect from October 30.

The NAAT boss added: “Meanwhile, the National Executive Council (NEC) has directed all its 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-day ultimatum expires.

“If at the end of the 14-day ultimatum, there is no positive response from the government, the union will embark on a national protest which will culminate into a total and indefinite strike without recourse to the government.

“It is hoped that government will avail itself of this window to resolve the issues on ground, with the view to averting any industrial action.”

Nwokoma said the decision was in line with the union’s concern for the tertiary education system, so as not to disrupt the academic calendar, saying this will eventually affect research and practical teaching.

He called on all well-meaning Nigerians, traditional rulers, religious leaders, members of the National Assembly, civil society organisations, and student leadership to prevail on the federal government on the union’s demands.

The Star