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Passengers Jittery As Aviation Workers Down Tools

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja


Passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Murtala Muhammad Airport (MMA) terminal, Lagos were on Monday tensed and stranded as aviation workers commenced a two-day warning strike.

This followed a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika and other aviation agencies on February 7, 2023, by the aviation unions over non-implementation of minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) since 2019.

News Rider gathered that aviation unions blocked the entrance of the MMA, Lagos and were also seen in large numbers hoisting their flags at NAIA, Abuja. 

The warning strike also grounded flights at the airports, just as aviation agencies and other business owners failed to gain access to their outlets. 

Coalition of aviation workers union are made up of members of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE). 

Others are Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees (AUPCCSTRSE) and Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP). They had raised the alarm over the non-implementation of the Condition of Service (CoS) seven years after it was negotiated with the workers.

News Rider reports that aside heavy human and vehicular movement at the airports, passengers were sighted trekking with their luggage. 

One of the passengers, Lady Margaret Johnson frowned at the inability of the Federal Government to implement the agreement reached with the aviation unions. 

She likened the plight of aviation workers to that of university lecturers, a situation that compelled Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to spend eight months at home over industrial dispute. 

Another passenger, Mr Idris Muhammad pleaded with the Ministry of Aviation to resolve all the impending challenges to avert the collapse of Nigeria's economy. 

He said though the industrial dispute frustrated his business plans but it is necessary to provide better working conditions for the workers. 

Part of the unions' grievances was the planned demolition exercise of aviation agency buildings in Lagos by the Minister of Aviation for an airport city project. 

Also, the refusal of the Income and Wages Commission, and Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to release the reviewed Condition of Service of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency.

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