The National Association of Academic Technologists has directed its members to commence a two-week warning strike from Monday (today) to protest the alleged failure of the Federal Government to implement the 2009 agreement.
The association directed its members to close down all laboratories, workshops, studios and farms throughout the period of the strike.
This is coming less than a week after the Academic Staff Union of Universities extended its roll-over strike by two months over the failure of the Federal Government to satisfactorily address the issues raised in the 2020 FGN/ASUU Memorandum of Action.
The union in a statement on Sunday by its President, Ibeji Nwokoma, said it decided to embark on strike after a virtual National Executive Council meeting where 97.8 per cent of its branches voted in favour of the industrial action, which would end on April 5.
The association accused the government of failing to honour the memorandum of understanding signed with its members despite the series of letters written to the government.
In a letter to its branches nationwide signed by the NAAT General – Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the union said, “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.
“In view of the above, NEC in-session resolved and directs all members of NAAT to proceed on a two-week warning strike effective from midnight of Monday, March 21, 2012 due to the failure of Federal Government to address NAAT grievances as contained in her letter earlier sent to FG on 14-day ultimatum dated February 25, 2022.
“During this period, all laboratories, workshops, studios and research centres shall remain closed, while farm and fieldwork activities shall be suspended.”
The NAAT further directed the branches to hold congresses on Monday to declare the commencement of the warning strike, stressing that monitoring teams should ensure compliance and enforcement of the action.
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