The management of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and the agency-based unions have reached an agreement to postpone till further notice the planned strike action slated for February 4, 2025.
This was the outcome of the meeting between the unions and NiMet in Abuja on Monday, February 3, 2025.
The workers unions included National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).
The president of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade 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 a last option.
He said, “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 unions said that the postponement of the strike action followed agreements reached between national and branch officers of the unions and the management of NiMet.
According to them, the interests of NiMet workers were the focus of the discussions and negotiations.
Meanwhile, the director general and chief executive officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, has said that NiMet management will always champion the cause of workers’ welfare but within realistic economic conditions.
According to him, “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.”
