By Nurat Uthman
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has stepped in to address the planned strike by Aviation Security (AvSec) and the logistics sub-sector, which was scheduled to begin today (Thursday).
The regulatory body has requested a one-week extension to tackle the concerns raised by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) regarding the poor pay of the affected workers.
NUATE’s Secretary-General, Comrade Ocheme Aba, confirmed that Captain Musa Nuhu, the head of the NCAA, intervened by asking for the extension.
As a result of this intervention, the union has instructed its members to hold off on the strike that was supposed to start this afternoon.
NUATE is now waiting for an official letter from the NCAA regarding their intervention plan.
In a circular titled “Circular Letter To All Aviation Security and Logistics Employers in Nigeria,” the union informed the NCAA, the Commissioner of Police at the airport, and the State Security Service of its intention to withdraw services.
According to the union, the decision to withdraw services stems from the continuous impoverishment of employees in the aviation security and logistics sub-sector of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The circular highlights the failure of management in securing contracts that would provide fair compensation for the workers. With monthly salaries as low as N30,000 for graduates, the situation is described as akin to slave labor.
In light of this, the union has directed all workers in aviation logistics companies in Nigeria to completely withdraw their services from August 16, 2023, until their demand for fair remuneration is met.
