Hundred of passengers were on Monday, April 17, 2023, stranded at the airport, in Lagos, as members of some Aviation Unions commenced a two-day warning strike.
The unions were seen blocking the entrance to the Murtala Muhammad Airport, domestic terminal, Lagos, crippling all flights and passengers activities at the airport.
The warning strike is coming just after the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA’s meeting with representatives of the unions ended in a deadlock, as the unions insisted on going ahead with their strike.
NCAA’s Director-General, Capt. Musa Nuhu, who called the meeting, said it was meant to prevail on the unions to shelve their planned two-day warning strike.
The striking unions include; the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria; the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals.
They are demanding, among others, that the planned demolition of the Aviation Agencies’ Headquarters in Lagos be halted while also advocating for the implementation of the conditions of service signed with the staff of the aviation agencies.
Deputy General Secretary of ATSSSAN, Comrade Frances Akinjole, in an interview shortly after the meeting, said, “As I am talking to you, nothing has changed. If you don’t hear anything from the General Secretary, the strike continues.”
He later followed up with a text message, saying, “The strike goes as planned.”
Security operatives, including police and military officers, were on ground, as the unions sing solidarity songs.
The meeting was also attended by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole.