The Federal Government has stepped in to resolve a brewing industrial dispute between the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Ethiopian Airlines Nigeria.
The dispute arose after NUATE accused the airline of failing to implement key aspects of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, particularly the payment of 13th-month salaries, stalled staff promotions, low wages, and reliance on casual and contract staff rather than permanent employment.
In response to threats of strike action, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, convened a conciliation meeting with representatives of both parties in Abuja.
Following negotiations, both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement provides for a follow-up meeting within two weeks, with representatives from NUATE, Ethiopian Airlines management, the Federal Ministries of Labour and Aviation, and the Joint Aviation Trade Unions Forum in attendance.
As part of the deal, NUATE has suspended any planned strike or work stoppage until after the next round of talks.
The intervention is seen as a crucial step in averting disruptions in the aviation sector, where industrial actions often have far-reaching economic and operational consequences.