Aviation Unions Demand Urgent Salary Relativity for NiMet Workers, Suspend Strike Action

In a resolute call for justice, three major aviation unions – 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) – have demanded the immediate implementation of salary relativity for workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

At a joint press conference in Abuja, the unions decried the long-standing neglect of NiMet workers’ welfare, describing their remuneration as one of the worst in the Nigerian public service.

Despite NiMet’s critical role in providing meteorological data for aviation, maritime, agriculture, and other economic sectors, its staff have been systematically excluded from salary enhancements granted to other government agencies.

The unions lamented that over the years, NiMet workers have been repeatedly denied federal salary increases and wage awards, including the 2019 Minimum Wage consequential adjustments, the 25–35% Federal Government wage award, and the 40% Peculiar Allowance for harmonisation of public service salary scales.

“NiMet is a safety-critical agency. The aviation industry cannot function without weather reports. Yet, while sister agencies in the aviation sector – such as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) – enjoy steady salary advancements, NiMet workers continue to be sidelined. This is unacceptable,” the unions declared.

They attributed the wage disparity to a combination of historical neglect and the refusal of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to upgrade NiMet’s salary structure, CONMETSS, to match other government-approved salary schemes like CONTENDISS and CONHESS, which are applied in similar agencies.

The unions had initially issued a notice of withdrawal of services set to take effect on 4th February 2025.

However, following an emergency meeting with NiMet’s management on 27th January 2025, the unions agreed to suspend the planned industrial action to allow further negotiations.

While acknowledging the efforts of NiMet’s new management to address their concerns, the unions expressed scepticism over whether the promises made would materialise, given that the core salary issues are controlled by the Federal Government through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

“The real solution lies in the hands of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. Without their decisive intervention, we fear this matter will remain unresolved,” the unions stated.

The unions outlined key demands, including:

Immediate implementation of all outstanding federal salary approvals for NiMet workers, including wage awards, minimum wage adjustments, and peculiar allowances.

Approval and release of NiMet’s Scheme of Service by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

Expedited approval of NiMet’s reviewed Conditions of Service.

Aviation sector salary relativity to align NiMet workers’ earnings with those of other aviation agencies.

A long-term solution enabling NiMet to generate and retain revenue, granting it financial independence from IPPIS.

Emphasising the dire implications of continued neglect, the unions warned that a shutdown of NiMet’s services would have severe consequences for aviation safety, maritime operations, and national food security.

“We have endured years of injustice, but we cannot hold on indefinitely. If nothing changes, we will be left with no choice but to resume our strike without further notice,” the unions declared.

The unions urged President Tinubu and Minister Keyamo to take swift action, stressing that failure to address the grievances of NiMet workers could lead to an industrial crisis with far-reaching consequences.