Five unions in the aviation sector, comprising National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals, National Association of Aircraft Pilot and Engineers and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation civil service technical and recreation services employees, in the early hours of Monday staged a peaceful protest around the airport to express their grievances.
The Deputy General- Secretary, Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigerian, ATSSAN, Francis Akinjole, who spoke for the unions said their conditions of service have been jointly renewed but not implemented for about nine years.
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He added that despite all the warnings issued to the government prior to the strike, nothing has been done so the unions have arisen to demand for what is theirs which is the release of their conditions of service adding that if the federal government refuses to heed to their demands, there would be more demonstrations and withdrawal of services.
He also bemoaned the demolition of aviation agency offices citing that of the AIB also demolished in 2022, the non-implementation of minimum wage for aviation workers and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency since 2019.
The two-day warning strike which began early Monday caused heavy traffic gridlock around ikeja axis of Lagos and will continue on Tuesday.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
