FG IN MARATHON MEETING TO AVERT AVIATION WORKERS’ STRIKE
Written by Samson Ojeniran on February 7, 2022
The Nigerian Government is in a marathon meeting to avert the grounding of flights operations within the country from Tuesday, February 8, by aviation workers unions threatening to embark on strike.
The meeting presided over by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige has in attendance the leadership of the National Union of Air Transport Employee, NUATE, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN and Association of Nigeria Aviation Professional, ANAP.
Also in attendance are the representatives of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, agencies in the aviation industry, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Chairman, Ekpo Nta.
In his opening remarks, the Minister appealed to the workers to halt their planned strike as it will cause huge economic loss. He however assured that all the lingering issues will be resolved.
The General Secretary of NUATE, Ocheme Aba and Deputy General Secretary, ATSSSAN, Frances Akinjole had in a statement accused the Ministry of Aviation and the aviation agencies of refusing to implement the Minimum Wage and Consequential Adjustment since 2019.
A meeting called by the Federal Ministry of Aviation on January 31 2022 did not resolve the issues as the unions insisted there was no clear assurance from both ministry and agencies to meet the workers’ demands.
