Striking aviation workers threaten total shutdown, reject govt plea

As the second day of their strike begins, aviation workers have threatened to close the nation’s airports should the federal government not meet their demands.

The Ministry of Aviation issued a statement on Monday pleading with the striking workers to cease the industrial action that had left numerous travelers stranded around the nation.

After a meeting held by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority came to a deadlock, the aviation workers went on strike.

Capt. Musa Nuhu, Director-General of Civil Aviation, convened a meeting with union leaders in order to persuade the unions to call off their planned two-day warning strike.

This was revealed to media on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja by Sikiru Waheed, the general secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees.

He asserts that the second day of the current strike will be more successful and that the first day served as a signal to the populace and the administration that they are serious about their demands.

He said, “Day two of the strike would be more effective than what you are seeing here now because we only used today as a warning to people that are travelling.”

Additionally, he advised those who had travel arrangements for Tuesday to cancel them because the strike action will result in a complete shutdown.

“So, people who need to travel tomorrow should not book a flight for tomorrow because it is going to be a total shutdown. It is not going to be like today. By 5:00 am we will be here to shut down everywhere.

“We are appealing to all those that want to travel that they should shelve their journey for tomorrow because it may be disrupted. It is a warning for everyone in the public.”