MMIA terminal in Lagos
Aviation workers to embark on 2-day warning strike from Monday
Labour unions in the country’s aviation sector have issued notice of a two-day industrial action to the Federal Government over delays in the implementation of conditions of service agreement already reached between both parties seven years ago.
The aggrieved workers under the aegis of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSA), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees (AUPCCSTRE) are also protesting the non-implementation of the National Minimum Wage consequential adjustments and arrears for workers of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMeT) since 2019.
The union also rejected the planned demolition of aviation agency buildings in Lagos to pave the way for an airport city project initiated by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.
The warning strike is expected to commence on Monday, April 17, 2023.
In the notice of a two-day warning strike signed by the secretaries general of the five aviation unions, the workers declared that if the warning strike fails to get the attention of the Federal Government, an indefinite industrial action will follow.
It would be recalled that the aviation workers had on February 7, 2023 issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over similar demands.
Following the fresh notice, the unions disclosed they had directed their members to comply with the strike notice. According to the aviation workers’ unions, all state councils, branches, and executives have been mandated to enforce the notice.
The unions say they have already dispatched copies of the strike notice to the Airport Command of the Nigeria police, Airport Commandants of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Department of State Services (DSS), chief executive officers of ministries, department, agencies (MDAs) of government in the aviation sector, in addition to foreign airlines operating into the country.
