Aviation unions threaten strike over ‘unresolved grievances’

The threat of a strike by aviation unions in Nigeria has raised concerns over potential disruptions to aviation services in the country.

The unions, including the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees, have cited several grievances, including the non-release of the reviewed Condition of Service that has been negotiated for over seven years with four aviation agencies.

Other issues include the non-implementation of minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency since 2019, as well as the planned demolition of agency buildings in Lagos for an airport city project by the Minister of Aviation.

The unions had previously issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Minister of Aviation on February 7, 2023, but the ultimatum has expired without any tangible results.

In response, the unions have issued a notice of a two-day warning strike, scheduled to commence on April 17.

The unions threatened to go on an indefinite strike, should the warning strike not yield results.

The unions have also directed all their members to comply with the directive, urging all state councils, branches, and executives to enforce the directive without compromise.

Copies of the notice of the warning strike have been sent to the Lagos airport police command, all airport commandants, the Department of State Services, the chief executives of the agencies, and foreign airlines.