The management of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency has agreed to postpone the planned strike action by the unions, originally scheduled to begin today, February 4, 2025, until further notice.
In a statement released by the agency on Monday, It announced that the strike action had been postponed following agreements reached between national and branch union leaders and NiMet management.
Both parties emphasised that the discussions and negotiations were centred on protecting the interests of NiMet workers.
The agency-based unions; National Union of Air Transport Employees, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees are the unions included in the planned protest.
During the negotiations, which led to the signing of the agreement by all parties, specific timelines for actions were established to address the various concerns raised by the unions.
The President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees NUATE, Benjamin Nnabue, who led the negotiations on behalf of the unions said the unions are not in the habit of embarking on strikes and antagonising management but usually resort to such as a last option.
Nnabue further agreed that some of the issues predated the current administration but insisted a government should be a continuum.
The unions also call for President Bola Tinubu’s urgent intervention, through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Festus Keyamo for the Immediate implementation and payment of all outstanding federal government approvals to NiMet workers, including:-balance payments of the 2019 Minimum wage consequential adjustments to the remaining 30 workers.
In the agreement signed by both the unions and NiMet management, both parties acknowledged that miscommunication had played a role in the delay in addressing the unions’ concerns.
They committed to improving consultation and engagement processes to prevent similar issues in the future.
All parties also reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a progressive partnership that enhances industrial peace and promotes the welfare of NiMet staff while the unions agreed to postpone the industrial action until further notice as a gesture of goodwill in consultation with their relevant organs.
Recall that workers under the Nigerian Meteorological Agency issued a 14-day ultimatum to the agency’s management to address longstanding welfare concerns or face a nationwide industrial action.
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