Nigerian aviation union begins 2 day strikemgrounds flight

 

There are indications that flight operations would be disrupted on Tuesday as Aviation Union commenced its two-day warning strike in Abuja and other parts of the country on Monday.

The members of the union said the aviation sector would witness a complete shutdown on Tuesday as it continues with its strike action.

The union also said failure to respond positively to its demands after the two-day warning strike may lead to total withdrawal of service.

The General Secretary Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, Comrade Sikiru Waheed said this on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

 He said that day two of the ongoing strike will be more effective than the first day, adding that the first day of the strike was just a warning to the public and the government that they are serious about their demands.

 He said: “Day two of the strike would be more effective than what you are seeing here now because we only have some leverage today to serve as a warning to other people that are travelling.”

“So people who need to travel tomorrow (Tuesday) should not book a flight for tomorrow because it is going to be a total shutdown, it is not going to be like today because, by 5:00 am, we will be here to shut down everywhere.

 “We are appealing to all those that want to travel that they should shelve their journey for tomorrow because it may be disrupted. It is a warning for everyone in the public.”

A member of the executive of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) who didn’t want his name in print said: “For today (Monday), the strike has actually been suspended because of some loopholes from some sectors but tomorrow will be more intense.

“We observed today that the entrance to the airport was not shut, so tomorrow as early as possible, we will shut down everywhere with locks and restrain people from gaining access 

“Today, we gave room for staff to come in and at the end, people had access to enter which marred the outcome but we will strategise and continue tomorrow. If the government fails to comply with our demand, there will be a total withdrawal of service which will take place almost immediately because the strike today is a continuation of the strike we had in May last year where the government promised to get back to us but they did not.”

 At the airport, passengers were stranded due to traffic gridlock and lockdown of the check-in halls, causing long queues and disrupted vehicular movement.

 The entrance to the check-in halls was also locked by union officials, leaving many passengers who were scheduled to travel stranded. 

One of the officials of FAAN who didn’t want his name disclosed said many of the stranded passengers missed their flights due to the union’s actions.

 He said: “The only flights that have taken off and landed at the airport today are flights before 8 am. The other flights have been disrupted due to the strike. This action by the union has caused confusion, passengers are frustrated due to poor communication and assistance from airport officials and the airlines.” 

On its part, the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in a public announcement issued noted that the airport will be opened for operation.

 It however noted that there might be flight disruption. The announcement reads: “The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport wishes to inform the General Public of the Aviation Unions’ planned 2 days warning strikes scheduled to start on Monday, April 17, 2023.