By Chinelo Obogo
Workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) have called off the indefinite strike after the Federal Government’s intervention.
NiMET’s workers were seen early on Tuesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, chanting slogans such as “No weather, no flights” and “Fly at your own risk.” The industrial action follows the breakdown of talks between labor unions and NiMet’s management. In a letter signed on Monday by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical, and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), the workers accused NiMet of refusing to negotiate or implement agreed financial allowances, including wage awards, peculiar allowances, and outstanding payments from the 2019 minimum wage.
They also alleged that the agency’s management withheld important documents, ignored requests to include omitted staff in past payments, and neglected key training programs in favor of executive retreats. The unions stated that NiMet’s failure to meet their demands left them with no choice but to withdraw all services indefinitely, effective April 22, until further notice.
But after a meeting with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, in Abuja on Thursday, the strike was called off.