Domestic and international airlines may be forced to cancel their flights as a coalition of aviation workers unions has downed tools over protests against what they say is the government’s failure to address their concerns.
Some of the issues raised include those of the national minimum wage, consequential adjustment, and working conditions.
The unions include the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), and Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).
A former President, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Sheri Kyari, in an interview with Channels Television on Monday, stated that four unions in aviation were involved in the two-day strike.
“They have commenced the warning strike and I think maybe the government was unable to convince them not to start this warning strike, so they embarked on it this morning,” he said.
According to Kyari, the unions are demanding the conditions of service negotiated “for quite a while” which have yet to be implemented, while some are asking for promotions.
“So, basically, unions of the government agencies are the ones involved in this. Definitely, after two days of the warning strike, they must go back to work, probably for another seven days.
“If nothing happens, they could embark on a full-scale strike to press for implementation of whatever has been agreed,” he added.