THE National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has urged its members in the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) to suspend its strike.
The union at the weekend called on the NIMET workers to begin a three-day strike to protest the non-payment of their allowances.
Gideon Ogbuji, General-Secretary of NUATE, disclosed the suspension of the strike to reporters yesterday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
According to him, the decision to call back the members came at the end of a meeting by the union, NIMET and the representatives of the Federal Ministry of Aviation in Abuja on Monday.
He revealed that it was resolved that in addition to the N5 million earlier set aside, another N5 million would be added to commence the payment of outstanding staff entitlements such as transfer, transport and course allowances.
Ogbuji stated that in appreciation of the difficulty associated with revenue generation and personnel cost augmentation, it was agreed that salaries would continue to be paid as per the existing practice and to revert to the normal practice as from January 2007.
But noting that pension and gratuity matters were still under the purview of the Ministry and Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, he said that NUATE was required to present specific cases for consideration and follow-up.
It was also resolved among the two parties, that specific provisions on the NIMET condition of service like housing allowance, proficiency, shift, hazard and transport allowance, which are not fully implemented, be fully addressed from January 2007.
Ogbuji added that as from next year “NIMET will pay officers leave grants. All complaints arising from the last promotion exercise will be handled as at when they are submitted, while NUATE is required to present special cases for consideration.”