Aviation unions have declared their readiness to join the indefinite nationwide labour strike scheduled to begin on June 3.
The announcement was made following a meeting on Sunday, marking a significant escalation in the industrial action initiated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).
The unions involved 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).
On May 31, the NLC and TUC declared an indefinite strike starting June 3 in protest against the federal government’s refusal to increase the minimum wage from N60,000.
Following this directive, on June 1, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) announced their participation in the strike.
In a joint statement, the aviation unions directed their branches to comply with the NLC and 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), detailed their plan of action.
“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workers nationwide that starting from 0000hrs of June 3, 2024, all services at all Nigerian airports shall be fully withdrawn till further notice,” the statement read.
Aware that many international flights to Nigeria are already in transit, the unions clarified that the strike action at international terminals will commence on June 4, 2024.
They emphasized the gravity of the situation and urged all aviation workers to adhere strictly to the strike directives.
The unions also instructed their branch officers to ensure full compliance at all airports, underscoring the seriousness of their commitment to this industrial action.
