The management of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency has agreed to postpone the planned strike action by the unions, originally scheduled to begin on Tuesday, 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.
Recently, NiMet's Director General Prof. Charles Anosike, stated that the management remains committed to advocating for workers' welfare while considering 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," the statement reads in part.
The President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees NUATE, Benjamin Nnabue, who led the negotiations on behalf of the unions said that the unions are not in the habit of embarking on strikes and antagonising management but usually resort to such as a last option.
Nnabue stated, "These issues with NiMet management may be inherited but government is a continuum. Our interest is the overall welfare of the staff of NiMet."
The Director of Labour at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olusoga Adebayo, who monitored the discussions between both parties, commended the spirit of compromise that guided the talks.
Adebayo noted that through social dialogue, a mutually agreeable solution was reached.
As per 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.
The PUNCH earlier reported 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.
The unions said this in a letter titled "Failure to respond to lawful and reasonable demands-14 days ultimatum".
"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," the letter read in parts.
The letter states management ignored calls to address unpaid arrears, unimplemented service schemes, and overdue allowances since 2019.
The letter stated that all NiMet workers are instructed to withdraw their services starting at 6 a.m. on February 4, 2025, if these matters are not resolved.
"In the light of the foregoing, we wish to inform you that the Unions as named above shall be moved to commence industrial action against the Agency after fourteen (14) days from the date of the stated issues are not completely ameliorated," the letter partly read.
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