Aviation unions have declared their readiness to join the indefinite labor strike set to begin on June 3.
This announcement came after a meeting on Sunday involving 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).
On May 31, labor unions declared an indefinite nationwide strike starting June 3 due to the federal government’s refusal to raise the minimum wage from N60,000. Following this directive, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) announced on June 1 that their members would join the strike.
In a joint statement, the aviation unions instructed their branches to comply with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) directive. The statement, signed by Ocheme Aba (general secretary of NUATE), Frances Akinjole (deputy general secretary of ATSSSAN), Abdul Saidu (secretary-general of ANAP), and Olayinka Abioye (general secretary of NAAPE), stated:
“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workers nationwide that starting from 0000hrs of June 3, 2024, all services at all Nigerian airports shall be fully withdrawn till further notice.
“Being not oblivious of the fact that many international flights to Nigeria are already airborne, the strike action will commence at international terminals on the 4th of June, 2024.
“All aviation workers should recognize the seriousness of this struggle and comply unfailingly.”
The unions also urged their branch officers to ensure full compliance at all airports.