LAGOS – The unions in the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have agreed to suspend their planned strike over welfare concerns.
The suspension of the strike, which was scheduled to commence on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, was postponed following an agreement reached with the management of NiMet, a statement by the agency said.
The unions; National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), had about two weeks ago, issued a 14 days ultimatum to the management of NiMet, accusing it of neglecting workers’ welfare and failing to implement critical policies for staff wellbeing.
They said: “We are highly concerned that your management has inexplicably refused all entreaties from our unions to address the extremely adverse circumstances of the workers at NiMet. Despite being evidently aware of the clear backward state of NiMet’s staff welfare status in the aviation industry, your management remains unmoved and lethargic in addressing this obvious malady.”
But, a statement on Monday by NiMet said that both parties reached the agreement after a series of meetings.
In the negotiations, which culminated in the signing of the agreement by both parties, timelines of actions were agreed by both parties on the various issues raised by the unions, the statement said.
Also, Comrade Benjamin Nnabue, President of NUATE, who led the negotiations on behalf of the unions, said that the unions were not in the habit of embarking on strikes and antagonising management, but usually resort to such as a last option.
He expressed that these issues with NiMet management may be inherited, but insisted government was a continuum.
Besides, Prof. Charles Anosike, the Director-General of NiMet, has reiterated that the management would always champion the cause of workers’ welfare, but within realistic economic conditions.
“I welcome the efforts of the national officers of NiMet agency-based unions and the input of the branches. We are not over the line yet on the issues, but I am happy that we have been able to convince the unions’ leadership to postpone their planned strike action.
“This will enable management to continue with its ongoing efforts towards obtaining the necessary approvals from the Federal Government on the issues raised by unions,” he said.
Mr. Olusoga Adebayo, Director of Labour in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment who observed the discussions between both parties, commended the spirit of ‘give and take’ that guided the discussions.
He said that through social dialogue, both parties had been able to reach an amicable solution.
According to the agreement jointly signed by the unions and NiMet management, both parties recognised that miscommunication contributed to the gap in addressing unions’ concerns.
They committed to strengthening consultation and engagement channels to prevent re-occurrence.
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.
Read the full article here
