BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and its agency-based unions; 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); have reached a significant agreement to postpone their planned industrial action until further notice.
The strike, initially scheduled to commence on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, was put on hold following extensive negotiations between the unions’ national and branch officers and NiMet’s management.
The resolution, reached during a high-level engagement in Abuja on Monday, February 3, 2025, reaffirmed the commitment of both parties to prioritising the welfare of NiMet employees while ensuring industrial harmony.
During the negotiations, both parties agreed on specific timelines to address the concerns raised by the unions, culminating in the signing of a formal agreement.
The discussions also underscored the importance of constructive engagement, with both sides acknowledging that improved communication would be key to resolving outstanding issues and preventing future conflicts.
Speaking on the development, Professor Charles Anosike, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, reiterated the agency’s commitment to employee welfare within the constraints of prevailing economic realities.
“I welcome the efforts of the national officers of NiMet’s agency-based unions and appreciate the input of the branches. While we are not yet over the line on all the issues, I am pleased that we have been able to convince the unions’ leadership to postpone their planned strike action.
“This will allow management to continue working towards securing the necessary approvals from the federal government to address the unions’ concerns,” he said.
Comrade Benjamin Nnabue, President of NUATE, who led the negotiations on behalf of the unions, emphasized that industrial action was never the unions’ first choice.
“These issues with NiMet management may have been inherited, but the government is a continuum. Our primary interest is the overall welfare of NiMet staff.
We do not embark on strikes or antagonize management lightly; such measures are only taken as a last resort,” Nnabue noted.
Mr. Olusoga Adebayo, Director of Labour at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, who was present as an observer, commended both parties for embracing a spirit of compromise.
“Through social dialogue, both parties have successfully reached an amicable resolution. The commitment to ‘give and take’ displayed during the negotiations is commendable and should serve as a model for future engagements.”
According to the jointly signed agreement, both parties acknowledged that communication gaps had contributed to the unresolved concerns of the unions.
To prevent a recurrence, NiMet and the unions pledged to strengthen consultation and engagement channels. Additionally, both sides reaffirmed their dedication to fostering a progressive working relationship that ensures industrial peace and enhances employee welfare.
As a gesture of goodwill, the unions agreed to defer the industrial action while continuing consultations with their relevant organs.
