Nosa Aituamen
Unions within the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have suspended their ongoing strike until May 13, 2025, following a high-level intervention by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo.
The strike, which was sparked by unresolved grievances over poor working conditions, salary relativity, and other welfare issues, was put on hold after a crucial meeting between the Minister and leaders of the aggrieved unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP).
According to union leaders, the Minister’s timely and sincere intervention led to the decision to suspend the strike.
The unions had been demanding a 25/35% salary increase, 40% hardship/peculiar allowances, annual staff trainings, and implementation of the 2019 consequential adjustment to the national minimum wage, among other issues.
The Minister, in response, expressed empathy with the affected workers and pledged to find lasting solutions to their concerns.
He announced plans to personally intervene through formal communications to the President and the Minister of Finance to fast-track the resolution of pressing financial concerns.
Also, a Ministerial Committee, headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, will interface with relevant agencies to clarify issues surrounding subsistence allowances and related matters.
The Minister emphasized the importance of industrial harmony in the aviation sector and commended the union leaders for their maturity and willingness to dialogue in the national interest.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, assured stakeholders that tangible progress will be made before the May 13 deadline, and called for continued cooperation to ensure improved welfare and working conditions for NiMet staff and all aviation personnel.
The suspension of the strike provides a temporary reprieve for the aviation sector, and stakeholders are now awaiting the outcome of the Minister’s intervention and the committee’s work to resolve the unions’ grievances.