Aviation unions declare 2-day warning strike

By Oladele Eniola

Aviation workers’ unions will embark on a two-day strike from Monday over the alleged failure to implement the conditions of the service agreement between the union and some aviation agencies.

This is contained in a statement issued and signed by officials of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, and Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals.

Others are the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services.

If their demands are not met, the unions have threatened an indefinite strike following the two-day warning strike.

“Our unions issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and specific aviation parastatals on Feb. 7, over non-implementation of minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet ).

“…also, the refusal of the Income & 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 (NiMET).

“Also planned demolition exercise of aviation agency buildings in Lagos by the Minister of Aviation for an airport city project has been strongly resisted by our union but the ministry remains adamant so we are commencing the warning strike,” the union said.

The aviation union urged its members to comply with the directive adding that its state councils, branches and executives enforce the directive without compromise.

NAN