Kehinde Fajobi
Three aviation unions have suspended their planned strike, which was set to begin on Monday, following a meeting with the management of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
The unions—National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), and Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP)—had threatened industrial action over unresolved demands affecting NiMet workers.
Speaking to journalists, Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and AUPCTRE President, Comrade Benjamin Anthony, alongside NUATE General Secretary, Comrade Ochenne Abu, urged President Bola Tinubu and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo to intervene to prevent further disruptions.
“It is important to stress the fact that a serious crisis at NiMet, such as its services being shut down, has serious society-wide implications—particularly for safe operations in aviation and maritime and for food security,” the unions said.
They highlighted the agency’s critical role in providing weather information essential for the aviation, maritime, and agricultural sectors.
The unions demanded the immediate implementation of outstanding government approvals for NiMet workers, including:
Payment of outstanding 2019 minimum wage adjustments to 30 workers.
Implementation of the 25-35% Federal Government wage award for NiMet staff.
Implementation of the 40% Peculiar Allowance to align public service salaries.
Approval and release of NiMet’s Scheme of Service by the Head of Service.
Expedited approval of NiMet’s reviewed Conditions of Service.
According to them, “An even longer-lasting solution is to bring about aviation sector salary relativity between NiMet and other aviation government agencies like the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).”
They described the wage disparity as “pathetic and unacceptable,” adding, “while the salaries of agencies that depend on NiMet’s services continue to advance, NiMet’s wages are declining.”
The unions also called for NiMet to be empowered for self-sufficiency, arguing that addressing these concerns would permanently resolve the agency’s persistent labour disputes.