A strike by aviation workers in Nigeria that began yesterday (April 17) and is set to continue today will cause disruption at domestic and international airports across the country.
Operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos are expected to be most affected as the airport’s main runway has been closed since last month for maintenance and remains closed for the next four weeks.
Additionally, planned demolition of office buildings and private jet hangars at the airport in preparation for the expansion of the new international terminal means that the airport is already not fully operational.
According to Simple Flying, the strike comes after the workers’ demands over their conditions of service have not been met for more than seven years, despite negotiations with aviation agencies for their review.
The workers are also protesting the non-implementation of the national minimum wage adjustments for workers of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency.
Unions have warned that, should the warning strike fail to achieve the desired results, an indefinite strike would ensue.
The National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees are taking part in the strike. These represent pilots, engineers, control tower operators and other airport workers.
