Flight operations and other airport activities at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal II in Lagos were grounded on Monday, June 3, 2024, following the indefinite strike declared by the Organised Labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Aviation unions were seen manning the entrance of the airport as stranded passengers stood by in Lagos on Monday.

The General Secretary of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Francis Akinjole, said activities at the international wing of the Lagos airport would be grounded beginning on Tuesday, June 4.

Akinjole had earlier told passengers to return to their various activities if they had any because there was no sign that the strike could be called off soon.

He said: “We just do not have any choice than to embark on what we are doing and it is clear. If the federal government signs the new minimum wage today, we will leave but if they do not we are starting here today as the commencement day.

“Tomorrow, like we said in our notice to the general public, we are going to ground activities at the international wing.

“The only reason why we are not starting iat the international wing today is because we are aware that some flights were already airborne, so we are not as insensitive as some people might think.”

Akinjole said the union was prepared for the length of time the strike would last but called on the government to consider the yearnings of Nigerians.

Aviation unions join Labour strike

“We are prepared to go the whole length. Government should pay the minimum living wage that is what they should do,” he added.

Also speaking, the National Chairman of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) branch of the Association of Nigeria Airport Professional (ANAP), Patrick Evuarhehe, said no skeletal activity was permitted.

Evuarhehe noted that it was a fight for all and not of selfish interests because “an injury to one, is an injury to all”.

He added: “Passengers that were here earlier joined us in this strike because they are in solidarity with us.

“An injury to one is an injury to all. So, every passenger you see are all labour workers; they are actually travelling from here to one assignment or the other.

“As it is now, they know that my pain is their pain, so it is very important for them to join the struggle that is why you see many of them around.

“They are sitting patiently, doing what they are supposed to do because it is very important for us to get this right at least for once in Nigeria.”

A passenger, Desire Joseph, who planned to fly to Calabar, the Cross River State capital, with Ibom Air, said she was confused and hopeful that the strike would be called off before the day ends.

On his part, an Aero Contractor passenger, Alabi Musibau, who planned to attend a conference in Abuja, said the strike was uncalled for.

He said the fight for the minimum wage increment was a spoiler as it could further increase the prices of goods in the market.

Some other passengers who stood by with their luggages, out of frustration, said they were too angry to talk.

The Star