By Suleiman Amagbor, Lagos
Passengers and businesses in airports and seaports across Nigeria are due to undergo difficult times in the next few days as affiliates bodies in the aviation and maritime industries have declared their intentions to embarked on an indefinite strike following the directive of the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the proposed national minimum wage lock jam with the federal government.
The workers in both industries affirmed they intend to commence the action by 12am on Monday June 3rd.
Our correspondent gathered that the NLC and TUC are currently locked in talks with the leadership of the national assembly.
On Sunday night, workers in the aviation sector under the umbrella of National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers NAAPE notified airlines and businesses of the planned action.
Stakeholders have described intended exercise a difficult one for the sectors as the affirmed that passengers will bear the brunt just as businesses at the seaports will incur billions in lost of revenge.
A statement made available to journalists and signed by Comrade Ocheme Aba, General Secretary of NUATE, Comrade Abdul Rasaq Saidu, Secretary General of ANAP, Comrade Frances Akinjole, Deputy General Secretary of ATSSSAN and Comrade Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary NAAPE was titled ‘Notice of Indefinite Strike Action’.
The documented noted “In compliance with the directive from our labour centers Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria we hereby inform the general public, aviation service providers, airline operators.
Aviation businesses and all aviation workers nationwide that starting from 0000hrs of June 3, 2024 all services at all Nigerian airports shall be fully withdrawn till further notice.”
According to the unions “Being not oblivious of the fact that many international flights to Nigeria are already airborne, the strike action will commence at international terminals on 4th of June, 2024.
All aviation workers should recognize the seriousness of this struggle and comply unfailingly. All Branch officers of our unions shall ensure full compliance at all airports.”
Similarly, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the leadership of Dr. Adewale Adeyanju said it has obliged to comply with the directive of both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to join in the indefinite total lock down of the country commencing from Monday, the 3rd of June, 2024.
“The indefinite nationwide strike has become very imperative, given the failure of the Federal Government on the logjam and the inconclusive national minimum wage negotiation and refusal to reverse the hard biting hike in electricity tariff.
In view of the foregoing, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has directed its members in all ports nationwide, jetties, terminals, and oil & gas platforms to effectively ensure the total compliance of the strike as directed by the NLC and TUC. This is also to serve as notice to all our concerned stakeholders in the Maritime sector.” It noted in a press statement over the weekend.
