Passengers Trek To Catch Flight As Unions Ground Airports

 Air passengers were yesterday stranded for several hours following the disruption of activities at the nation’s airports as aviation workers embarked on day-one of their scheduled two-day warning strike.

LEADERSHIP reports that activities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) were disrupted by the aviation unions’ strike as passengers had to walk extra miles in order to catch up with their flights.

Also, business activities around the Lagos airport were paralysed for hours yesterday as aviation workers downed tools in a warning strike.

When LEADERSHIP visited the airport, it was discovered that passengers arriving at the Abuja airport were left stranded due to heavy traffic and some had to embark on a long walk in order to get into the airport on time.

Also, the unions shut the check-in halls, causing long queues. The management of the airport did not allow the reporters to enter the hall with their cameras.

It was also discovered that the entrance to the check-in halls was locked by union officials, leaving many passengers who were scheduled to travel stranded.

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However, an airport worker, who didn’t want his name to be mentioned, said those who arrived earlier were able to beat the traffic and leave on time.

He also said that many of the stranded passengers, who arrived when the unions had started locking down check-ins, missed their flights due to the union’s actions.

A passenger, Adamu Ameh, who spoke to LEADERSHIP, said, “To protest is normal in every civilised country; it is a way of erring our views provided that it is done peacefully. I just got into Abuja last night and I am supposed to travel today but the situation here is chaotic. I hope I meet up with my flight on time.”

The general secretary, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, Sikiru Waheed, has warned that there will be a total shutdown of operations today.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, he said the second day of the ongoing strike will be more effective than the first day, adding that the first day of the strike was just a warning to the public and the government that they are serious about their demands.

He said: “Day two of the strike would be more effective than what you are seeing here now because we only have some leverage today to serve as a warning to other people that are travelling.”

He also urged people who have plans to travel today  to shelve their plans, as the strike will be a total shutdown.

“So people who need to travel tomorrow should please don’t book a flight for tomorrow (Tuesday) because it is going to be a total shutdown; it is not going to be like today. By 5am we will be here to shut down everywhere.

“We are appealing to all those that want to travel, that they should shelve their journey for tomorrow because it may be disrupted. It is a warning for everyone in the public.”

Speaking with LEADERSHIP, in Lagos, the general secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Aba Ocheme, said the unions will take a more comprehensive action if and when the federal government and the management fail to meet demands of workers after the two-day warning strike.

“If the management, after second day, is still adamant, then, we will consult within our unions for more drastic action until the federal government and the management meet our demands,” Ocheme said,

Part of the reason for the protest, according to Ocheme, include demands by the unions that the planned demolition of aviation agencies’ headquarters in Lagos be halted, while advocating the implementation of conditions of service signed with staff of the aviation agencies during collective bargaining.

Before the protesters dispersed at exactly noon yesterday, the general secretary, National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW), Comrade Ibrahim Walama, who represented Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, had said NLC is solidly behind the strike.

According to Walama, “in spite of being in Ramadan period, we still have to come out for this protest. It shows the seriousness attached to it and until government yields, we shall not stop. And now, they deployed police against us, fortunately, the leadership of the police employed against us was my school mate in school. So, there is no way police will dance to the order of government against us.”

Members of the unions on Monday blocked entrance to the Murtala Muhammad Airport’s domestic terminal, leaving many passengers stranded for hours.

The unions comprise the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN); the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP).