FAAN asks travellers to make contingency plans as aviation workers begin 2-day strike

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) of the
Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) chapter has advised travellers and
stakeholders to make contingency plans in order to avoid missing their
appointments.

The authority’s management issued the advisory in a
statement on Monday in Abuja.

FAAN was speaking in regards to the planned strike by
aviation unions which could affect scheduled flight operations.

The agency said the management of NAIA would open the
airport for operation as usual, but warned that passengers may experience
“disruptions in flights operations as a result of the planned strike action”.

“The management of the Federal Airports Authority of
Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, wishes to inform the general
public of the aviation union’s planned two-day warning strike scheduled to start
Monday April 17, 2023,” FAAN said.

“Intending passengers and stakeholders are kindly advised
and note so as to make contingency plans in order to avoid missing their
flights and appointments. Any inconvenience experienced is highly regretted.”

Last Friday, the aviation unions announced plans to embark
on a warning strike in protest against unpalatable working conditions and
entitlements.

The unions involved are the National Union of Air Transport
Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria
(ATSSSAN), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP).

Others are the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and
Engineers (NAAPE), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service
Technical and Recreation Services Employees.

The workers are demanding the approval and implementation of
the condition of service (CoS), as agreed between them and the Salaries,
Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), the office of the head of civil service
of the federation, and other agencies.

Others are the non-implementation of minimum wage
consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency
(NiMet) since 2019 and the planned demolition exercise of all the agency
buildings in Lagos by the minister of aviation for an airport city project.

In a memo signed by the leadership of the five unions, the
workers said an indefinite strike would ensue, if the two-day warning strike
fails.