NUATE Cancels Ethiopian Airlines Strike after government mediation led to a signed MoU addressing workers’ welfare and promotion disputes

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Ethiopian Airlines branch, had threatened to ground operations over issues relating to unpaid 13th-month salary, lack of staff promotions, reliance on casual contracts, and what it described as poor remuneration.

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However, following a conciliation meeting chaired by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, both NUATE and Ethiopian Airlines management in Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

According to the agreement, a joint team—comprising three NUATE representatives, officials from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and the Joint Aviation Trade Unions Forum—will reconvene within two weeks to address all disputed issues and report progress to the Ministry.

A statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Patience Onuobia, confirmed that the MoU stipulates no work stoppage will take place until the next meeting is concluded.

The deal was signed by Ethiopian Airlines’ Area Manager for Nigeria, Firiehiwot Mekonnen; NUATE officials Comrade Moses Unanaow and Comrade Odinaka Igbokwe; and representatives of the federal government, including Abubakar M. Sadiq and Amos O. Falonipe.

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Minister Dingyadi stressed the federal government’s commitment to fostering industrial peace and ensuring decent work conditions across all sectors, describing the resolution as a positive step toward improving workers’ welfare and preventing disruptions in the aviation industry.