…Labour Leaders Push For Urgent Salary Harmonisation, Aviation Sector Relativity
BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Workers at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have received a glimmer of hope as their unions, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) have suspended their planned strike following productive discussions with NiMet management.
The decision comes after a crucial meeting where commitments were made to address the long-standing issue of salary disparity and improve the working conditions of NiMet employees, who provide vital meteorological services essential to Nigeria’s aviation, maritime, agriculture, and other critical sectors.
For years, NiMet workers have faced stagnant wages, receiving none of the federal salary adjustments granted to their counterparts in other agencies.
Despite playing a crucial role in ensuring flight safety, maritime operations, and climate data management, their salary scale—CONMETSS—has lagged behind, leaving them among the worst remunerated in the public service.
Speaking on behalf of the unions, Ocheme Aba, General Secretary of NUATE, lamented the situation:
“It is a cruel irony that those whose work is indispensable to national safety and economic stability are left behind in wage enhancements.
Our members have endured years of neglect while other aviation agencies have continued to enjoy steady improvements in remuneration. This injustice must end.”
The unions are demanding the immediate implementation of all outstanding federal approvals, including: Full payment of the 2019 minimum wage consequential adjustments for affected workers; Implementation of the 25-35% federal wage award for NiMet staff; Implementation of the 40% Peculiar Allowance to harmonize public service salaries; Official recognition of NiMet’s Scheme of Service and expedited approval of its revised Conditions of Service.
A key demand is for NiMet salaries to be brought in line with those of agencies such as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
“It is unacceptable that agencies relying on NiMet’s services are better remunerated while our members struggle to make ends meet. Salary relativity must be implemented immediately to correct this imbalance,” said Saidu Rasaq, General Secretary of ANAP.
The unions are also advocating for NiMet to become self-funded, allowing it to charge for its services and free itself from the constraints of the federal payroll system.
They expressed support for the ongoing legislative amendment that would grant the agency financial autonomy.
Given the renewed commitment from NiMet management, the unions have opted to suspend their planned strike, originally set to begin on February 4, 2025.
However, they warned that industrial action would resume without further notice if agreements are not honored.
“We have shown good faith by halting the strike. Now, we expect the government to reciprocate by acting swiftly to resolve these issues. The economic wellbeing of NiMet staff must no longer be ignored,” said Sikiru Waheed, General Secretary of AUPCTRE.
The unions called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo (SAN) to intervene and ensure that justice is done for NiMet workers.
As negotiations continue, workers said there is cautious optimism that this long-standing issue will finally be resolved, bringing much-needed relief to NiMet employees and ensuring uninterrupted weather services for Nigeria’s aviation and economic sectors.
