Strike: Aviation Unions To Shut Local, International Airports

Labour Unions operating in the nation’s aviation sector, on Sunday, announced their decision to shut down airports across the country in compliance with the directive of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), beginning from Monday, June 3.

LEADERSHIP reports that the NLC and TUC had on Friday called for an indefinite nationwide strike over the failure of the federal government to conclude on the new national minimum wage and refusal to reverse the electricity tariffs hike.

In a statement jointly signed by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE); Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN); Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), the unions said Nigerian local airports will be shut by 00:00hrs on Monday, June 3, 2024 while strike action at the international airports will commence on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

According to the statement signed by the general secretary of NUATE, Com. Abba Ocheme; deputy general secretary, ATSSSAN, Com. Frances Akinjole; secretary general, ANAP, Com. Abdul Rasaq Saidu, and general secretary, NAAPE, Comrade Olayinka Abioye, the withdrawal of services by the Unions will be indefinite.

“In compliance with the directive from our labour centers, NLC and TUC, we, hereby, inform the general public, aviation service providers, airline operators. aviation businesses and all aviation workers nationwide that starting from 0000hrs of June 3, 2024 all services at all Nigerian airports shall be fully withdrawn till further notice.

“Being not oblivious of the fact that many international flights to Nigeria are already airborne, the strike action will commence at international terminals on 4th of June, 2024.

“All aviation workers should recognize the seriousness of this struggle and comply unfailingly. All Branch officers of our unions shall ensure full compliance at all airports,” they stated.