Staff of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have given a 14-day ultimatum to embark on a nationwide strike, citing the management’s failure to address their long-standing grievances.
The workers, represented by three unions—the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services (AUPCTRE), and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP)—issued the warning in a letter dated January 21, 2025, addressed to NiMet’s Director General, Prof. Charles Anosike.
In the letter titled “Re: Failure to Respond to Lawful and Reasonable Demands 14-Day Ultimatum,” the unions expressed frustration over what they described as the agency’s neglect of workers’ welfare. The letter was signed by union leaders Comrade Sikiru Wahee (AUPCTRE), Comrade Ocheme Abaj (NUATE), and Comrade Abdul Rasaq Saidu (ANAP).
The unions lamented the poor state of staff welfare, accusing NiMet’s management of ignoring their repeated calls for dialogue and action.
“We are deeply concerned that your management has refused all entreaties from our unions to address the extremely adverse circumstances faced by NiMet workers. Despite being aware of the backward state of staff welfare in the aviation industry, management has remained unmoved,” the letter stated.
They highlighted several unresolved issues, including:
- Non-implementation of the new minimum wage.
- Non-payment of nine months’ arrears from the 2019 Minimum Wage Act.
- Failure to implement the reviewed scheme of service since 2019.
- Non-payment of peculiar, wage, and hardship allowances.
- Lack of progress in transitioning staff to the CONMETSS structure.
According to the unions, these issues reflect poorly on NiMet’s leadership and have subjected workers to unnecessary hardship.
The unions warned that if their demands are not addressed within 14 days, they would commence an industrial strike at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
“We direct all NiMet workers to withdraw their services unless otherwise instructed. The suffering of our members must end,” the unions declared.
This development raises concerns about disruptions in meteorological services across the country, with stakeholders urging swift resolution to avert the looming strike.
