Aviation unions on Monday commenced a two-day warning strike, leaving many passengers stranded and stalling activities in the sector today.
At the Murtala Muhammad Airport domestic terminal, the members of the unions blocked the entrance, with many passengers stranded.
The strike is as a result of an inconclusive agreement between the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA and the unions, who insisted on going ahead with the strike.
The meeting was called by the Director-General, Civil Aviation, Capt. Musa Nuhu, to appeal to the unions to shelve their planned two-day warning strike with representatives of the unions in attendance.
Present at the meeting was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Dr Emmanuel Meribole was also at the meeting.
The unions comprise the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN); the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP).
The Unions are demanding that the planned demolition of aviation agencies’ headquarters in Lagos be halted, while also advocating the implementation of conditions of service signed with members of staff of the aviation agencies, among other things.
Many airlines were initially hopeful that the meeting would resolve the issues the unions have with the Federal Government.
However, the Deputy General Secretary of ATSSSAN, Comrade Frances Akinjole stated, “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 to Daily Trust, saying, “The strike goes as planned.”
Many of the passengers were seen trekking to the airport as the unions blocked exits to the domestic terminal one and the MMA2.
Security operatives, including police and military officers, are on the ground as the unions sing solidarity songs.