Nosa Osula Aituamen
Aviation unions have issued a two-week ultimatum to the Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, demanding the resolution of outstanding issues concerning workers’ welfare and unpaid dues.
In a joint letter dated January 21, 2025, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Amalgamated Union of Corporation Civil Service Technical Recreation Services Employees (AUPTRE) expressed deep disappointment with Prof. Anosike’s refusal to address the welfare concerns of NiMet staff.
The unions highlighted several grievances, including the non-implementation of the new minimum wage, unpaid arrears from the 2019 minimum wage adjustment, and the lack of payment for 40% peculiar allowance, hardship allowance, and a 25-30% wage award.
They also demanded the implementation of the agency’s reviewed scheme of service, which has been pending since 2019.
The unions emphasized that despite numerous attempts to engage with the management, including previous ultimatums, their concerns have been consistently ignored.
The unions warned that if their demands are not met within the two-week timeframe, workers will resort to industrial action.
According to them, NiMet staff are among the lowest-paid in the aviation industry, despite providing critical services to various sectors, including air and sea transport, construction, and environmental and agricultural services.
This disparity, coupled with perceived inaction from union leadership, has eroded employee morale and trust.
Responding to the unions demand, Director of Human Resources, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) said, management is constantly in touch with the office of the Head of Service where the matter is receiving priority attention and a meeting has been scheduled with the unions this week at the National Assembly on this legacy issue.
“I urge our staff to be patient with the management as it is doing a lot to improve staff welfare. Management prioritizes staff welfare with training and other welfare benefits. On the issue of review of the condition of service, it’s an ongoing process. The staff through the unions are part of that process. It’s a process which we are pursuing vigorously”.