Aviation unions have joined the planned indefinite labour strike that begins today, Monday, June 3.
This was after the unions made the announcement to join the strike after a meeting on Sunday.
The Unions participating in the strike include the National Union of Air Transport Employees, (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, (ANAP), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, (NAAPE) respectively.
Recall that on May 31, the labour unions declared an indefinite nationwide strike to begin from June 3, because of the federal government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage from the N60,000 it proposed.
Other Unions joining the strike are: the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE.
What They’re Saying
In a joint statement both Inions had released, they had ordered its branches to comply with the NLC and TUC directive.
This statement was jointly signed by the General secretary of NUATE, Ocheme Aba; the deputy general secretary of ATSSSAN, Frances Akinjole; the secretary-general of ANAP, Abdul Saidu; and the NAAPE’s general secretary, Olayinka Abioye.
The statement read partly:
“In compliance with the directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria—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workers nationwide that starting from 0000hrs of June 3, 2024, all services at all Nigerian airports shall be fully withdrawn till further notice.
The statement also added that the Unions were not ignorant of the fact that many international flights to Nigeria were already airborne, hence, they declared that the strike action will begin at international terminals on Tuesday, 4th June, 2024.