Key Takeaways
- Aviation unions shut down domestic flight operations in Lagos and Abuja over anti-union practices and non-remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge
- Passengers left stranded at affected airports, with uncertainty surrounding their travel plans
- Unions demand airlines issue clear directives affirming employees' freedom to join unions of their choice without fear of victimisation
- Airlines accused of withholding funds meant to support aviation agencies, undermining their operations and potentially affecting safety
The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), under the leadership of the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC), carried out the protest, which began at about 5am in Lagos, with the Zulu terminal gate at the Murtala Muhammed Airport reportedly under lock and key.
The action initially affected Air Peace, the country’s largest domestic airline, with passengers scheduled to travel on its flights left stranded at the airport. An Air Peace flight scheduled to depart Lagos at 6:30am could not take off as passengers waited amid the disruption. The development sparked frustration among passengers, some of whom lamented the uncertainty surrounding their travel plans.
The unions’ action followed a three-day notice of strike issued to domestic airlines after they had earlier warned on August 4 that they were prepared to commence industrial action “at any time without further notice”. The unions said the latest action was taken after several weeks of giving affected airlines an opportunity to address their grievances.
Background and Implications
The dispute over the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) has been escalating between aviation unions and domestic airlines, with the unions insisting that the five per cent charge is a statutory source of funding for aviation agencies. The development also comes amid a wider disagreement between the unions and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) over the remittance of the charge.
The unions demanded an “unequivocal declaration” through circulars and other direct means of communication to airline employees that they were free to join unions of their choice without fear of victimisation. They also demanded the immediate remittance of what they described as the “seized operational funds” of aviation agencies to enable the agencies to implement the conditions of service agreed with their workers.
Response from Air Peace and NCAA
Air Peace, in a statement titled “Temporary Disruption of Flight Operations Following Ongoing Industrial Action at Airports,” announced that its flight operations had been temporarily disrupted. The airline said: “We wish to inform our esteemed passengers and the general flying public of temporary disruptions to our flight operations arising from the picketing of our airline and the ongoing industrial action by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC)
The Director-General of Civil Aviation appealed to the unions to sheathe their swords and exercise restraint pending the return of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, who has been actively working towards resolving the issues. The NCAA assures the travelling public that flight safety remains uncompromised and that the Authority continues to exercise its statutory safety oversight responsibilities.
Why This Matters
The disruption of domestic flight operations by aviation unions has significant implications for the aviation industry and the travelling public, highlighting the need for dialogue and cooperation between unions, airlines, and regulatory authorities to resolve labour disputes and ensure the smooth operation of air transport services. The resolution of these issues is crucial to preventing further disruptions and ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel in Nigeria.