Aviation unions on Thursday embarked on a warning strike at the Freedom Square of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) shutting down the administrative arm of the agency over irreconcilable differences.
The unions Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria(ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees ( NUATE), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals ( ANAP) and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners( NUP) also staged a shutdown arising from the plans of Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, to address the workers directly which the unions say was wrong.
As of 9am the unions have already mobilized for the one day strike after which they will go back to negotiate with management.
Ben Nnabue, NUATE President who spoke to some media officials said “this is a warning strike and the Minister cannot come and talk to our workers direct without us. This action is just for today after which we will renegotiate with management.
He however warned that if the Minister met with management at the International Airport, the strike will continue non-stop.
Meanwhile, an advance party comprising the Rabiu Yadudu, managing director of FAAN, and Musa Nuhu, director general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) and other directors were not allowed to address the Congress that was gathered at the Freedom Square.
Ocheme Aba, one of the union leaders told the gathering that if the management of FAAN obliged the agreement reached, the warning strike would end on Thursday and a week will be allowed for management to meet the demands of the workers to avert a full blown indefinite strike .
A fortnight ago, the unions had issued a seven day ultimatum to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) declaring a dispute and demanding payment of salaries, gratuity and other emoluments to avert an industrial action but the indication from labour is that they will not be meeting the minister. Read also: Unions issue FAAN 7-day ultimatum over salaries, outstanding allowances.
An internal memo also obtained by BusinessDay dated October 8th titled: Invitation for a Meeting with the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika with ref: FAAN/HA/1A/400/19/Vol 4/39, the general manager administration stated that the meeting with all staff is an interactive session to discuss the challenges meted on the agency by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The letter read in part:” It is an interactive session aimed at addressing the prevailing challenges facing FAAN in particular and the aviation industry in general, occasioned by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
“All staff are therefore enjoined to avail themselves of this unique opportunity offered by the honourable minister to present issues bothering their welfare among other challenges, offer suggestions that will move the organisation forward.”
