Labour unions to ground flight operations nationwide September 18

THE news just coming in has revealed that aviation labour unions and affiliates of the United Labour Congress (ULC): National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) have notified the Federal Government through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) their intention to ground the Nigeria’s airspace if their demands are not met before that date.

The unions gave the warning yesterday in a joint press statement on the strike action called by the United Labour Congress (ULC), stating that the unions will embark on a strike starting from 6am on Monday being September 18, 2017.

In the letter addressed to the Director General NCAA, Captain Murtah Usman, the unions lamented that government workers at all levels are owed months and years of salaries, pensions and various allowances stating that such situation will not continue in that manner.

The unions in the document jointly signed by the Secretary General of NAAPE, Comrade Ocheme Aba and Secretary General of ANAP, Comrade Abdul Rasaq Saidu decried withholding of the registration of ULC as a labour federation despite fulfilling all conditions stipulated by the law.

While complaining that the government has been neglecting the review of minimum wage, the aviation unions added “The factories in Nigeria and most other workplace have been manufacturing depots for fatalities and various unimaginable incapability. Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has since abandoned their inspectorate and surveillance duties in this respect thereby abandoning Nigerian workers to their fate”

“As a result of the strike action, no flight will operate through Nigeria. We therefore advise all airport users to take note and make alternative travel arrangements. Foreign airlines are equally advised to avoid flying into Nigeria until the matter is resolved to avoid unpleasant consequences”.

“We truly regret the difficulties this action will cause airport users, but this circumstance is foisted by the federal Government and the remedy lies solely in their hands”, the union noted.