FELIX NWANERI

Meteorological personnel are responsible for weather reports at the various airports.

But the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) in a circular to its members serving with NIMET, directed that the warning strike commences after midnight of today.

NUATE, in the circular titled, "Three days nationwide protest," signed by its acting General Secretary, Gideon Ogbuji said that the decision to embark on the warning strike was reached after talks with the NIMET management in the past seven months have failed to resolve the matter.

The circular listed the unresolved issues as non-payment of outstanding claims, leave grants, course and transfer allowances, gratuity and pensions as well as delay in payment of staff salaries.

But in a swift reaction, NIMET’s management advised NUATE to embrace dialogue in resolving issues of staff welfare.

NIMET, in a statement signed by Alhaji B. A. Mohammed also described as uncomplimentary and professionally unethical for NUATE to direct its members to embark on industrial action in the face of the on-going International Civil Aviation (ICAO) audit of the country’s aviation sector.

"As major stakeholders and professionals, your proposed industrial action in the face of the ICAO audit exercise is to say the least uncomplimentary, inconsiderate and professionally unethical within the framework of not only the Trade Union Act, but also our global standard practices and procedures.

"Aviation industry is one of the most sensitive sectors of the Nigerian economy which is classified under essential services and therefore any disruption, that would affect the lives, property and security of the people is tantamount to sabotage," NIMET said.

Also describing the one day ultimatum given to it by NUATE as a contradiction of labour laws, management of NIMET disclosed that it has already earmarked N5 million for the payment of 2006 leave grants and outstanding staff claims.

On the payment of pensions and gratuity, it said that following the Pension Reform Act of 2004, such matters would continue to be handled by the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation till 2007.