By Abubakar Yunusa
Aviation workers have threatened industrial action against the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMet), accusing the management of failing to honour previous agreements.
In a letter addressed to the chief executive officer (CEO) of NIMet, aviation unions said operations would be suspended on April 16.
The letter was jointly signed by Ochema Aba, general secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Abdul Rasaq Saidu, secretary-general of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and Sikiru Waheed, general secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).
The unions accused NIMet’s management of squandering their goodwill and reneging on promises made in an agreement signed on January 28.
They said the management failed to honour its commitment to negotiate and implement an allowance by the end of February.
“One and a half months after, the Management has refused to negotiate, let alone implement, such allowance,” the unions said.
“And no possible explanations have been forthcoming from the management over the matter.
“Furthermore, all elements of the agreement of 28/01/2025 remain agonisingly in abeyance, namely; While we understand that the negotiated conditions of service has been forwarded to the Ministry for processing, we have reason to suspect foul play as the Management, despite persistent requests, has refused to release copies of the document due to our Unions as signatories to same document.
“The unions have yet to receive any feedback as agreed on the issues of 25-35% wage awards, 40% peculiar allowance, 9 months balance of 2019 minimum wage, and 30 names omitted from the 2019 minimum wage payment.”
The unions said management has shown no urgency on the issue of salary relativity, despite the support of Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation.
“The extremely important and urgent issue of salary relativity, which was reinforced by the support of the Hon, Minister has equally suffered from the lethargy of the management,” the unions said.
“We note with appreciation that management followed through with training for GL08&09.
“But, instead of continuing with GL10-14, we are unhappy that Management is rather scheduling another Management retreat, even as it has just returned from a post-budget retreat, and having had a management retreat late last year.
“These stated fragrant infractions on a duly signed Collective Bargaining Agreement are indeed troubling and worrisome. And considering the huge effort and sacrifice invested by our Unions in averting industrial crisis through the suspension of the previously scheduled strike, it is a matter of serious regret that the management has so squandered our goodwill.”
The unions directed branches in NIMet and state councils across Nigeria to immediately restart comprehensive mobilisation efforts.
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