NiMET staff to begin strike on Monday due to unpaid arrears

Aviation Unions under the auspices of the National Union of Air Transport Employee Association of Nigeria (NUATE), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations (AUPC) and the Technical and Recreational Employees have directed staff of the Nigeria Meteorology Agency (NIMET) to commence strike action from Monday, 20th May 2024.

This was disclosed in a letter dated 14 May 2024. 

The strike stems from management’s failure to address 45 months of minimum wage arrears and consequential adjustments for staff members. 

The union, represented by the three General Secretaries: Ocheme Aba, Abdulrasaq Seidu, and Waheed Sikiru, wrote a letter addressed to NiMET’s Director General, Prof Charles Anoske, with the subject line "Re: Failure to Pay 45-Month Arrears of Minimum Wage Consequential Adjustment—14 days ultimatum."

The ultimatum had been issued, and management responded by agreeing to pay off the 45 months of arrears in instalments.

However, the unions said the promise was just a gimmick to average strike action, as management discontinued the payment after only three months payment, leaving a balance of forty-two (42) months.

They also lamented that the staff of the agency are yet to receive the payment of palliatives approved by the federal government since October 2023, more so the 25-35 percent increase in salaries is yet to be reflected in their salaries, coupled with the fact that NiMET has been excluded from the payment of Peculiar Allowances.

Furthermore, the Unions through a joint letter dated 4 April 2024 requested for review of the outdated conditions of service., but unfortunately, to date, the management has yet to give them any response.

The letter reads;

“The above catalogue of woes, and others unmentioned confirm that NiMET Staff have been consigned to the lin bin of abject poverty – worse than any existing aviation establishment  In our considered view, it is inhuman on the part of Management to have forborne with these conditions, and irresponsible on the part of Unions to have tolerated this situation for this long.

“Therefore, this letter serves as notice to the management of NiMET that the staff of the agency are, by copy of this letter, directed to withdraw all services with effect from Monday 20th May 2024 unless and until the outstanding 42 months arrears of consequential adjustment is fully liquidated,

“NIMET Salary structure is adapted to an appropriate Federal Government approved structure and all accruable payments liquidated, Management commences review of the outdated CoS with our Unions with a definite timeline for delivery and actualisation.” 

The union expressed optimism that their voices would be heard so as to avert the industrial action.