Aviation unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees Association of Nigeria, the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations and Technical and Recreational Employees, have directed staff members of the Nigeria Meteorology Agency to commence strike action on Monday, May 20, 2024.

This directive was outlined in a letter dated May 14, 2024, obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday. The strike action is a result of the management's failure to address 45 months of minimum wage arrears and consequential adjustments for staff members. The union, represented by the three General Secretaries: Ocheme Aba, Abdulrasaq Seidu, and Waheed Sikiru, addressed a letter to NiMET’s Director General, Prof Charles Anoske, with the subject line ‘Re: Failure to Pay 45-Month Arrears of Minimum Wage Consequential Adjustment—14 days ultimatum.’

Despite the issuance of an ultimatum, management responded with a proposal to pay off the 45 months of arrears in installments. They also expressed disappointment that the agency’s staff has yet to receive palliative payments sanctioned by the Federal Government since October 2023. Additionally, they highlighted that the 25-35 percent salary increase has not been implemented for them, and NiMET has been excluded from receiving Peculiar Allowances. “Furthermore, our Unions through a joint letter dated April 4, 2024, did request a review of the outdated conditions of service. To date, the management has not responded to our union's request,” it read.

The letter further states, “The above catalog of woes, and others unmentioned confirm that NiMET Staff have been subjected to abject poverty – worse than any existing aviation establishment. In our considered view, it is inhuman on the part of management to allow these conditions, and irresponsible on the part of unions to tolerate this situation for this long.

“Therefore, this letter serves as notice to the management of NiMET that the staff members of the agency are, by a copy of this letter, directed to withdraw all services with effect from Monday, May 20, 2024, unless and until the outstanding 42 months arrears of consequential adjustment are fully paid off. “NiMET Salary structure is adapted to an appropriate Federal Government approved structure and all accruable payments liquidated, Management commences review of the outdated CoS with our Unions with a definite timeline for delivery and actualization.”