Varsity Workers Issue 21-Day Ultimatum Over Withheld Salaries

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the federal government, demanding immediate payment of five and a half months of their withheld salaries.

Among other issues, the union warned that compliance within the time frame would result in its members withdrawing their services from universities.

The request was part of the resolutions from NAAT’s 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held in Taraba State.

In a letter addressed to the minister of state for labour and employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and signed by the association’s president, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, NAAT warned that it would not be held accountable if the request, which started on September 30, expires without the government addressing their numerous demands.

The letter, titled “Notice of 21 Days Ultimatum to Embark on an Industrial Action,” was also copied to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Universities Commission (NUC).

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LEADERSHIP recalled that NAAT embarked on an industrial action from March 21, 2022, which lasted until August 2022, following a series of meetings convened by the then Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu. A resolution was reached on August 17, 2022.

The association expressed disappointment that the federal government has yet to address the issues that led to the strike despite the resolutions reached, including the incomplete renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement.

NAAT also raised concerns about the lack of funding for upgrading public universities’ laboratories, workshops, and studios and the presence of outdated equipment.

The letter read in parts, “Arising from the 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Federal University Wukari on Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th September 2024; the Union is compelled to issue this notice of a three-week request as a result of the failure of government to keep to the promises and assurances given on the payment of the five and half months withheld salaries of NAAT members.

The honourable minister is to note that at the expiration of the three weeks and without any positive results from the government, the union will be forced to commence industrial action without further notice.”

“It is important to note that the Federal Government invoked the “No-work-No-pay” policy, which NAAT rejected as all due processes as contained in the Trade Union Act were followed.”

“Our members were owed five and a half months’ salary. Despite all efforts to resolve the issues peacefully through dialogue, the Federal government has not paid the withheld salaries despite promises made by government representatives and a presidential directive. ”