Passengers in Nigeria have been left stranded as aviation workers commenced a two-day warning strike on Monday, disrupting activities in airports. The strike is in protest of the non-release of their revised Condition of Service, which has been negotiated with four aviation agencies over seven years, as well as the planned demolition of their Lagos offices.
The workers have blocked the entrance to the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, grounding operations. The unions had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the aviation minister on the same issues, but no action was taken until the ultimatum expired. The strike has also raised concerns among airlines about the impact on their operations.
The Daily Sun spoke with Arik Air’s spokesperson, Ola Banji, who stated that the situation was being monitored closely.
He further mentioned that the airline was prepared to address the situation as it unfolds, stating “when they reach the bridge, they will cross it.”
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The unions involved in the strike are the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Association of Aircraft Pilots (NAAP) and Engineers, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees.
They have expressed grievances over the failure to implement minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) since 2019, as well as the refusal of the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to release the reviewed Conditions of Service of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).
