Aviation unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employee Association of Nigeria, the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations and Technical and Recreational Employees, have instructed Nigeria Meteorology Agency (NiMET) staff to commence a strike action on Monday, May 20, 2024.
The strike, as disclosed in a letter dated May 14, 2024, and obtained by a correspondent, is due to the management's failure to address 45 months of minimum wage arrears and consequential adjustments for staff members. The letter, signed by the General Secretaries of the three unions, expressed dissatisfaction with NiMET's management, citing delays in payment of arrears and non-implementation of salary increases and peculiar allowances.
The unions had issued a 14-day ultimatum to management, which was met with a compromise proposal to pay off the arrears in installments. However, the unions rejected this offer, stating that NiMET staff have been awaiting palliative payments since October 2023, and other entitlements have not been implemented.
In response to the situation, the unions directed NiMET staff to withdraw all services from Monday, May 20, 2024, until the outstanding 42 months arrears of consequential adjustment is fully paid. They also demanded the adaptation of NiMET's salary structure to an appropriate Federal Government-approved structure and the commencement of a review of the outdated Conditions of Service (CoS) with a definite timeline for delivery and actualization.
