The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said it is ready to dialogue with aviation unions, namely: 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), whose members have threatened to embark on industrial action over welfare issues.
A statement signed by Dr Nasiru Sani, Director, Human Resource Management & the Administration for NiMet, the Agency described as most unfair to management, the Unions allegations that all elements of the Agreement of 28th January 2025 remain agonizingly in a b e y a n c e even when Management have had to relate with the relevant government agencies to address issues raised by the Unions.
It added that hat most of the issues that were raised were not those that management could handle with just the rule of the thumb, they were issues that needed the interventions of other government agencies that management have actually related with and in most off the cases, awaiting responses or approvals.
On Condition of Service, the Director of Human Resource said: “management noted the Unions’ recognition that the Conditions of Service had been forwarded to the Ministry for processing. However, Management frowned very seriously at the Unions’ “unbelief”attitude, of thinking that it could negatively have tamper with a document that is also beneficial to members of Management.
The Agency described such as ‘demeaning’ for any to have insinuated and suspected any foul play on such a collective document, adding that It would rather be o b s e r v e d that the Director-General/ Chief Executive Officer noted and added allowances that were not negotiated for at the committee meetings to enrich the content of the document,.
“It is on record that three copies of this proposed Conditions of Service were h a n d e d to o n e of the Union’s National Executive Member for onward delivery to other Union Members as of 9th April, 2025 at about 11.00 am, in the Director, Human Resource Management and Administration’s office.5
On 35% w a g e award; a month b a l a n c e of 2019 Minimum Wage; 30 names omitted from the 2019 Minimum Wage, Sani added that the matters have gone through various stages of actions and have been approved by the relevant authority,
“in this case, the Director, Budget Office. These are now awaiting the availability of funds for payments to b e made, that are not within the purview of Management. It must b e noted that, Management having pushed these matters thus far, is constrained as that is the furthest it it can go pending any further actions on the matter by the responsible government agency.”
On the issue of Salary Relativity, Sani added that the document referred to during the committee meeting, when it was said that the Hon. Minister had in the past directed the adoption of the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) salary structure for NiMet is yet to be seen, neither has it been found anywhere. Members of the Unions who were also assigned the responsibility of sourcing for this same document/correspondence, have also at different times been approached and up to date, there has been no trace of such a document anywhere.
“However, Management on its own, has been on the matter with the Honourable Minister, and the feedback is positive as the Honourable Minister is willing to do anything that will improve the working conditions of NiMet staff. It must be noted here that the Director General/Chief Executive had in this regard, also written a n d signed letters to government agencies this correspondence could b e traceable to a n d responses are being awaited.”
On the issue of staff training, he said Management initiated a structured and inclusive staff training programme in 2024, tagged “Continuous Staff Training” as part of efforts to ensure no employee is left out in the staff training initiative.
Also, on quarterly conditions of service allowance, Nimet explained that despite financial constraints, the Director-General had recently approved and paid the quarterly allowance to all staff as a gesture of goodwill to the union.
Also, on revenue drive and ministerial support, the HR manager said NiMet had obtained approval for an upward review of its internally generated revenue (IGR) share from NAMA, NCAA, and FAAN, to boost staff welfare initiative.
NiMet has therefore invited the unions to another round of discussions to clarify lingering concerns and prevent the breakdown of industrial harmon
The agency also added that the eight points the unions presented to Management as their concerns and agitations are being implemented.
“Finally, following the recent re-emergence of the resumption of the threat of Industrial Action, Management always is open to dialogue with a view to further emphasizing and clarifying perceived grey areas as it intends to always uphold highly harmonious working relationships. In view of this, Management extends its invitation to you once again with a view to dialogue”, Dr. Sani said.
