The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) in Nigerian universities, today, commenced two week nationwide warning strike to demand for the implementation of 2009 agreement the union jointly signed with the Federal Government.
According to a letter signed by the General Secretary of the Union, Engr. Abubakah V. Yusuf, the strike has become unavoidable because of the failure of the Federal Government to accede to the Union’s demands.
Yusuf, in his letter to all the members in the universities said, “NEC in-session resolved and directed all members of NAAT to proceed on a two (2) week warning strike effective from midnight of Monday 21st March, 2022, due to the failure of Federal Government (FG) to address NAAT grievances as contained in her letter earlier sent to Federal Government on 14 days ultimatum dated 25th February, 2022.”
“During the period, all labouratorie, workshops, studios and research centres shall remain closed, while farm and field work activities shall be suspended”, the Secretary added.
The Union explained that the decision to declare a nationwide strike action was reached at a virtual National Executive Council meeting where 97.8 per cent of its branches voted in favour of the industrial action.
“Arising from the resolution of the emergency virtual National Executive Council meeting held on Thursday, March 17, 2022, and based on the results of a referendum where 47 branches participated, 46 branches voted in support while one branch voted against NAAT embarking on a two-week warning strike. These figures represent 97.8 per cent and 2.2 per cent, respectively. After the meeting, five branches forwarded their results through other electronic means due to their inability to join the virtual NEC meeting as a result of technical hitches. However, the result shows that four branches voted in favour of a strike while one voted against it”, Yusuf stated.
Following this directive, the University of Ibadan branch of the union formally declared two week warning strike after its congress held this morning, saying that the decision is in full compliance with the directive of its national body.
