Flight Operations to Resume as NiMET Workers Suspend Strike

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The indefinite strike embarked upon by labour unions in the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has been suspended.

The industrial action was called off on Thursday after a meeting with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo.

Recall that on Tuesday, employees of weather forecast agency protested against the management of NiMET, saying they were being neglected.

Their action disrupted flight operations, especially at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where they chanted slogans such as No weather, no flights and Fly at your own risk.

They accused NiMET of withholding important documents, ignored requests to include omitted staff in past payments, and neglected key training programs in favour of executive retreats.

The aggrieved workers in different unions claimed 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.

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.