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Tag: National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT)

  • Varsity workers give Fed Govt 21-day ultimatum to settle withheld salaries

    Varsity workers give Fed Govt 21-day ultimatum to settle withheld salaries

    University workers under the aegis of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) have given the federal government a 21-day ultimatum to pay their five-and-a-half months withheld salaries among other demands.

    The NAAT members threatened to withdraw their services in the universities if the demands were not addressed at the end of the ultimatum.

    The ultimatum was part of NAAT’s resolutions in its 56th National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held in Taraba state.

    Their strike notice follows a similar one issued by the Academic Staff Union of Universities to the Federal Government.

    A letter addressed to the Minister of State for Labour and Employment and signed by the association’s President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, warned that the union would not be held responsible if after the expiration of the ultimatum which commenced from September 30 and nothing was done to address their plethora of demands.

    The letter titled: “Notice of 21 days ultimatum to embark on an industrial action, was copied to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Universities Commission (NUC).

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    It reads: “The leadership of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) wishes to draw your attention to the above subject matter.

    “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 ultimatum as a result of 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 even after a presidential directive of over five months ago and other outstanding issues as stated below;

    “Non-release of enabling circular on CONTISS 14 & 15 for NAAT members as agreed in 2017 MoU, payment of arrears of minimum wage to the omitted members of NAAT (April 2019 to January 2020), payment of arrears of 25% and 35% salary increase (January to December 2023).

    “Inadequate infrastructure, dilapidated laboratories, workshops and obsolete equipment. Complete/total negligence of the training of academic technologists on the use of modern equipment and ICT.

    “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 will be recalled that NAAT initiated an industrial action on March 21, 2022, that ended in August 2022 after a series of meetings held at the instance of the then Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu where a resolution dated 17th August 2022 was reached.

    The association lamented that all the issues that led to the strike were yet to be resolved by the federal government despite the resolutions reached which included the non-conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ NAAT Agreement

    It also raised the alarm over the non-provision of funds for the upgrade of public universities’ laboratories, workshops and studios, and obsolete equipment.

    A statement signed by the NAAT President said: “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.

    “This led to our members being owed five and a half months salary. Regardless of all the 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.

    “In March 2024, a sister union was paid four months’ arrears of the withheld salary while NAAT members were not paid.

    “This prompted the union to embark on a three (3) day warning strike/ protest to demand the payment of the five and half months’ salaries of NAAT members. The three-day warning strike was suspended only after an appeal and promise to pursue the issue within a short period by the Honourable Ministers of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, and that of State, Dr. Yusuf Sununu.

    “It is now September 2024, NAAT members have not been paid the withheld salary even after a pronouncement made by the Honourable Minister of State, Labour, and Employment that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the payment of withheld salaries to all university-based unions in full.

    “Furthermore, NAAT also wishes to state that part of the resolutions that led to the suspension of the strike in 2022 was the commitment to release Fifty Billion (N50,000,000,000) Naira for payment of Earned Allowances for University staff.

    “It is pertinent to note that item 7 of the resolution of 17th August 2022 clearly stated that the fifty billion naira is for the payment of Earned Allowances (EA) and Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).

    “In view of the foregoing, at its 56th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on September 25th and 26th, 2024 at Federal University Wukari, Taraba State after exhaustive deliberations, unanimously resolved to issue a three-week ultimatum to the federal government to resolve above mentioned demands failure which the union will have no option than to embark on an industrial action without further notice.

    “NAAT calls on all well-meaning Nigerians, Traditional rulers, Religious leaders, civil societies, and student leadership to prevail on the Federal Government on the above demands.”

  • Uniosun shut over non academic staff protest

    The Osun State University was Monday closed down by the authorities following the institution’s non-academic staff union protest.

    The university’s Governing Council said the closure took immediate effect because of the protest “now pose danger to lives and properties within and around the university environment.”

    Registrar and Secretary to Council, Gafar Adebayo Shittu, in a statement said: “The Management wishes to sincerely apologize to parents, guardians and students for any inconveniences that this closure may cause. Efforts are geared towards addressing the prevalent lawlessness.

    “We urge our law abiding staff and students to remain calm and stay away from the campuses in the mean time.”

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of Non-Academic Staff Union of UNIOSUN, Mr. Comrade Isaiah Fayemi, has expressed shock over the closure of the institution.

    He said: “We are surprised that the management decided to close down the university. Our protest has been very peaceful. We started the protest last week Wednesday. We are protesting because the management wants to sack some union leaders for exposing the atrocities of the Vice Chancellor.”

    Also, there was tension in the university after some operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in the state allegedly attacked some workers  during the protest.

    It was gathered that the members of the non-teaching staff of the university had converged at the University Guest House at Olu Alabi Way, Opposite Ilelabo, G.R.A. Oke Fia, Osogbo to solidarise with some of their union leaders appearing before the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the school.

    The heavily armed DSS officers were said to have prevented some of the union leaders from gaining entry into the Guest House despite their explanation that they had been invited.

    The treasurer of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Comrade Hameed Owoh, was said to have been kicked with boots.

    Owoh, who reportedly lost consciousness following the alleged attack, was later rushed to a nearby private hospital where he was resuscitated and treated.

  • SSANU, NASU, NAAT suspend strike

    The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Non Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities has suspended its three months strike.

    Mr Samson Ugwoke, JAC Chairman, said this while briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The Non-Academic staff Union of Nigerian are made of the Non Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities ( NASU ), Senior Staff Academic of Nigerian Universities ( SSANU ) and National Association of Academic Technologists, ( NAAT ).

    It would be recalled that the unions had embarked on an indefinite strike on Dec. 4, 2017 over failure of the Federal Government to fully implement 2009 Agreements and various Memoranda of Terms of Settlements.

    The Federal Government recently said it would source for eight billion naira within five weeks to settle the unions.

    Ugwoke said that the decision to suspend the strike was due to an agreement reached with the Federal Government that within a period of five weeks’ that their demands would be implemented.

    According to him, we hereby announce the suspension of the strike action embarked upon by the Joint Action Committee of NAAT, NASU, and SSANU with effect from today, March 14, 2018.

    “We have therefore directed our members to resume work on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

    “We, however, wish to state that the strike is only suspended and we shall not hesitate to resume the strike if government reneges on the agreement reached or delays in any aspects.

    “We are resuming with one eye closed. We trusted the government before and they failed, this time around, if they fail, the outcome and reaction will be grievous to the system.

    “We also appeal to our members to be more dutiful and conscientious at their duty posts and show more commitment towards covering the lost ground occasioned by the strike,‘’ he said.

    Ugwoke said that the understanding that was reached, gave five-week period for implementation on payment of a fraction of the arrears owned on Earned Allowances to members and report of progress made in respect of CONTISS 14 and 15 for Technologist.

    The JAC chairman also said that the issue of staff schools was to be taken up by the Ministry of Education with the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission to ensure that they complied with the National Industrial Court ruling.

    He explained that on the issue of Visitation Panels to Universities, it was agreed that there would be follow up and the report would be presented in five weeks’ times.

    “The fact that the government side had now develop the courage to commit itself in writing via yet another Memorandum, we resolved to revert to our various organs and give a feedback to the world today,‘’ he said.

    He, however, commended the Minister of Labour and Employment for facilitating the reconciliation, Minister of Education, House Committee on Tertiary Education and Services and other stakeholders for their supports.

    NAN

  • FG to source N8bn to settle SSANU, NASU, NAAT

    The Federal Government says it will source for eight billion naira within five weeks to pay the Joint Action Committee ( JAC ) of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities ( NASU ).

    Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, said this at a resolution reached at a conciliation meeting with the Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities in Abuja.

    The Non-Academic staff Union of Nigerian are made of the Non Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities ( NASU ), Senior Staff Academic of Nigerian Universities ( SSANU ), National Association of Academic Technologists, ( NAAT ).

    The resolution was jointly signed by Ngige, NAAT President, Mr Sani Suleiman, NASU General Secretary, Mr Peters Adeyemi , SSANU President Mr Samson Ugwoke and Prof. Anthony Anwukah, Minister of State for Education.

    Ngige also said that part of the eight billion would also be used to pay members of the Academic Staff Universities ( ASUU ), University of Nigeria, Nsukka ( UNN ), and the University of llorin ( UNILORIN ), who were not paid at the last disbursement.

    He also said that the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission was to rework the Dec. 15 Call Circular on University Staff Schools.

    “This is taking into consideration the observations of JAC of NAAT, NASU and SSANU with a view to ensuring that it complies with the National Industrial Court ( NIC ) judgment.

    Ngige also said that the Federal Ministry of Education reported that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has started payment of salary shortfalls, adding that the process was still ongoing.

    He said Ministry of Education was to synergise with the concerned institutions to ensure compliance with Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit ( PICA ) requirements to facilitate payments of JAC members in the universities that are yet to comply.

    The minister, however, said on the issue of the non-implementation of CONTISS 14 and 15 for technologists, the Ministry of Education has made submissions to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

    He said that the submission was for onward transmission to the National Council on Establishment ( NEC ) meeting slated for March 18, in Owerri, adding that the Ministry of Education is expected to report the outcome in five weeks.

    Ngige also said the Ministry of Education had put forward an application for the visitation panel to the presidency and that the main trust of the visitation was to re-energise the institution, unearth corruption, among others.

    He said that it was also agreed that the Ministry of Education would set in motion appropriate machinery for the release of White Paper in respect of the previous visitation panel already with government.

    He also added that no worker would be victimised on account of the industrial action.

    Ngige said that government and JAC leadership have agreed that the ongoing strike would be suspended by March 14, after due consultation with their National Executive Councils ( NECs ).

    NAN

  • End in sight for Varsity non-teaching staff strike

    End in sight for Varsity non-teaching staff strike

    The three month old strike by non-teaching staff of Nigerian Universities may soon come to an end as there appear to be light at the end of the tunnel following conciliatory meeting between the striking and the federal government team.

    The three unions namely Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) operating under the acronym of the Joint Action Committee have been on strike since December 4, 2017 and have summoned a meeting of the National Executive Committee for Wednesday to access the strike.

    The Minister Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige who presided over the conciliatory appeal to them consider the plight of the students and return to work while the government address their demands.

    The meeting which had the leadership of the unions and the officials of the Federal Ministry of Education in attendance deliberated exhaustively on all the outstanding issues raised by the unions.

    Ngige recounted steps already taken by the current administration to permanently resolve all outstanding matters that disrupt academic activities in the universities as well as the measures being taken at present to settle the trade dispute with the Joint Action Committee and appealed to them to call off the strike.

    Chairman of the Joint Action Committee and National President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), Comrade Samson Ugokwe said the strike  continue until there is something concrete from the government side.

    Ugokwe told The Nation on phone after the meeting that a meeting of the leadership of the three unions has been called for Wednesday at the NAAT secretariat to take a position on the strike.

    He said the Minister of Labour has assured them that they will be formed of what the government is approving to meet the workers demand after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, adding that the figure from the government will be presented to the NEC for consideration, saying if members decided to suspend the strike, it will be suspended.

    Read Also: NUT urges FG to end strike in varsities

  • Strike: UniAbuja chapter of SSANU seeks NASS intervention

    Strike: UniAbuja chapter of SSANU seeks NASS intervention

    The University of Abuja ( UniAbuja ), chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities ( SSANU ), has called on the National Assembly ( NASS ) to intervene in the ongoing industrial dispute between it and the Federal Government.

    Members of Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising Non-academic Staff Union of Universities ( NASU ), SSANU and National Association of Academic Technologists ( NAAT ) have been on strike over Federal Government’s failure to pay their earned allowances.

    The strike commenced on Dec. 4, 2017.

    A statement by SSANU’s National President and Chairman JAC, Mr Samson Ugwoke, on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the leader of UniAbuja chapter of SSANU, Malam Hassan Shallangwa, had presented a letter requesting the intervention of lawmakers.

    He said that the letter was presented to Mr Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of House of Representatives, through his Special Assistant Media and Publicity, Mr Turaki Hassan.

    “The Federal Government, through its relevant Ministers, have refused to dialogue with the unions and are pretending that all is well in our campuses, but we believe that it is only the National Assembly that can call them to order in the interest of Nigerian Education

    ‘’The strike we embarked upon since Dec. 4, 2017 has been crippling almost all activities on our campuses, yet the government remained passive about it, ’’the statement quoted Shallangwa as saying.

    Ugwoke expressed JAC’s dismay that the N23 billion paid by the Federal Government was cornered to pay the Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU ) “for their Earned Academic Allowances.”

    He said that the three non-teaching staff unions were left with N4.6 billion (11 per cent), as earned allowances.

    NAN

  • Lecturers, others begin warning strike in Otuoke varsity

    Lecturers, others begin warning strike in Otuoke varsity

    Workers under the Joint Action Committee ( JAC ) of four trade unions of the Federal University, Otuoke ( FUO ), Bayelsa State, yesterday, commenced a five-day warning strike following allegations that the management of the school and the governing council were insensitive to their plight.

    The JAC, which undertook the action consisted of the Academic staff Union of Universities ( ASUU ); the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities ( SSANU ); the National Association of Academic Technologists ( NAAT ) and the Non-Academic Staff Union ( NASU ).

    The workers in a communique on June 22, 2017, cried out that the Senator Gbemi Saraki-led governing council was allegedly doing nothing about the issues of staff welfare, promotions, salary disparity, tax remitances, pension remission, statutory allowances, confirmation of appointment, among others.

    They also alleged that Saraki who is the Pro-Chancellor of the university was running the institution as her personal business.

    The workers in a notice sent to the Vice-Chancellor, FUO, Prof. Accra Jaja, and signed by the Chairman, JAC-FUO, Dr. Omororo Joseph, said that if their grievances were not addressed after the end of the warning, they would make the industrial action indefinite.

    The unions’ communique after their meeting said;  ”On behalf of the Joint Action Committee of the Federal University of Otuoke, we write to you (Vice-Chancellor). Having observed all due processess as well as relevant rules and regulations guiding the operations of the unions, we bring to your notice our warning strike.

    ”Sequel to the insensitivity of management and governing council of this university to the communique dated June 22, 2017, and associated reminders from JAC, a joint congress was held today (October 16, 2017) at the university auditorium, East Campus.

    ”In the light of the above, please be informed that JAC shall with effect from today, Monday, October 16, 2017, embark on a five working days warning strike.

    ”We hope that this action will give our communique the deserved response and attention in the interest of peace, harmony and stability of the university community.”

  • Strike: FG, non-teaching varsity workers reach agreement

    Strike: FG, non-teaching varsity workers reach agreement

    The Federal Government and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the non-teaching staff of Nigerian Universities have  reached an agreement over the ongoing  strike by the workers.

    The Minister of  Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige,  said this at a conciliatory meeting with the leadership of the JAC of the unions and other officials of the Ministry of Education on Friday in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that the non-teaching staff of Nigerian universities under the auspices of JAC embarked on  strike on Monday  over non- implementation of the 2009 agreement.

    The workers belong to the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities ( SSANU).

    The demands of the unions included  the payment of earned allowances, a review of the governance system in universities and  improved funding in line with UNESCO recommendations.

    Other demands included  provision  of infrastructure  in universities and payment of salary shortfall being owed members, implementation of the National Industrial Court judgment on university staff schools and  registration of NUPEMCO, the Pension Fund Administrator  proposed for university workers.

    Ngige, however, said agreements had been reached on all  the issues raised by the workers.

    “We held discussions on all these areas and we reached agreement  on all of them;  government has already approved and released  some N23 billion for earned allowances in the universities.

    “This is for teaching and non-teaching staff of the various universities in Nigeria.

    “ We agreed on this that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation is to expedite action on  mandate for this payment.

    “We have the issue of  shortfall;  the issue is already being addressed and some universities are already credited with some amount of money for their short falls, ‘’ he said.

    On the implementation of  NIC judgment  for  staff schools, he said that government through the National Universities Commission had  issued circulars directing the universities to implement the judgement.

    He also said  the Salaries and Wages Income Commission had  initiated the process of ensuring compliance with the NIC judgment, expressing the hope that this would  be completed within four weeks.

    On  non-registration of NUPEMCO as Pension Fund Administrator, he said  that the process had begun and a  consultant would be handling  this  on behalf of the unions.

    “ We have also reiterated our commitment that the appropriate filled forms and particulars be  submitted within one week while the Federal Ministry of Education will expedite action to bringing out the certificates.

    “ Also on the negotiation of the 2009 agreement,  we realised that Babalakin  Committee is handling that and has collected memorandum from the various unions,’’ he added.

    Ngige, who also reacted to the issue of inadequate infrastructure and  poor funding of universities, said the Ministry of Education was in the process of inaugurating a nine-man committee that would develop an alternative means of sourcing for  funds.

    He also said that the meeting jointly agreed that government should intensify  efforts  to checkmate the excesses of corrupt officials in the university system.

    The meeting  further  agreed that  universities  should also operate the Treasury Single Account  and that the office of the Accountant General of the Federation should  investigate cases of those operating multiple accounts.

    “We also agreed that government should expedite action and send visitation panels to federal universities that have not been visited and revisit the previous visitation panels for the purpose of implementation of their recommendations.

    “ Again on whistle blowing which is the new anti-corruption policy of this administration, government agreed with the unions that  whistle blowers should be protected

    “On the issue of CONTISS  14 and CONTISS  15 for technologists,  the technologists’  union, NAAT,  is to provide the Federal Ministry of Education with information that would assist the ministry to develop appropriate scheme of service for the new cadres  among others.

    “Finally,  it was agreed that the union members should not be victimised on  account of this journey they have undertaken to go on strike and the unions also are to revert to government on Wednesday,  Sept. 20,   after presenting  this to their  National Executive Councils, ‘’he said.

    Mr Samson Ugwoke, the National Chairman of JAC,  commended the labour minister  for his  honesty and commitment  in ensuring that the strike was called off.

    “We have all dotted these items one by one and agreed on  them, but you know we are messengers;  we were sent  here by our principals and we cannot endorse any of these as either  an agreement or MOU

    “So, what we agreed on today, on these issues that  we have put our heads together  on,  will be taken back to our various National Executive Councils  for deliberation  and we will  report by Wednesday, Sept. 20, ”  he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting between the Federal Government and the unions lasted about  11 hours.

  • NASU, others begin indefinite strike

    NASU, others begin indefinite strike

    … Worsens situation at UI

     

    The Non Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), University of Ibadan branch Monday withdrew the services of its members in compliance with the nationwide strike declared by the union.

    Also, in the strike were members of National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and Senior Staff Academic of Universities (SSANU).

    The strike which was about 80 percent total at the university has further paralysed activities at the ivory tower.

    The union is demanding the implementation of 12 items contained in the document of agreement reached with the union by the federal government since 2009.

    Among the demands are earned non-academic allowances and the license for the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO), lack of infrastructures, poor governance, and hazard allowances.

    Activities at different departments at the university came to near total collapse except in a few units such as the hospital, security, electrical and power house where the workers offer skeletal services till 4pm.

    NASU Chairman University of Ibadan, Comrade Arojo Oluwasegun said that earned allowances are the rights of both deserving academic and non-academic staff, while calling on the federal government  to do the needful to save public education from total collapse in the country .

    According to Arojo, the Union was not happy that the government which pride itself so much is not interested in enduring legacies that can reposition public education through adequate funding

    “The strike commenced today and it is total and indefinite until we receive directives from the leadership of our union. As you can see, here our members fully complied to the indefinite strike. And what we are saying is that only the government can end the strike by implementing the content of the document,  otherwise the strike will go on indefinitely”, he said.

    Efforts to reach the UI branch Chairman of Senior Academic Staff Association of Universities (SSANU), Akinremi failed.

     

  • University workers to begin strike

    University workers to begin strike

    University workers  have issued a strike notice  to press home their demand for the implementation of their 2009 agreement with the Federal Government.

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is on strike over the same matter.

    The federal government delegation is meeting with the lecturers today to get them to end the strike.

    The non teaching members made up of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) said the government was taking them for granted.

    The unions said they had waited for eight years for the government to implement the agreement.

    Speaking at a joint news conference in Abuja, President of SSANU Comrade Samson Ugokwe, said eight years after the agreement, the government had not been responsive to the demands of the unions, pointing out that no action appeared to have been taken on any of the issues.

    The demands of the three unions include:

    • The payment of Earned Allowances
    • Review of the governance system in universities
    • Improved funding in line with UNESCO recommendations
    • Provisions of infrastructure in universities and payment of salary shortfall

    Other demand include implementation of the National Industrial Court judgment on University staff schools, registration of NUPEMCO, implementation of CONTISS 14 and 15 for Technologists, improvement of teaching and learning facilities in the universities, turning the tide of corruption in the university system, showing more commitment and seriousness in the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/University unions agreement and ensuring the headship of non teaching units by non teaching staff employed for the purpose of the units.

    Ugokwe said during the strike, there will be no provision of services no matter how skeletal.

    He said: “If an agreement was signed in 2009 and now in 2017, we are still asking for the implementation of such agreement, does it not show that we have been exceedingly patient?

    “Unfortunately, seven years after, we are still at the sorry situation we were before the MOU as the issues in contention were not addressed and government t kept a dead silence despite letters and entreaties reminding them, of their commitment to the non teaching staff unions”