The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has instructed the Aviation Security (AVSEC) and logistics sub-sector workers to initiate an immediate strike at Nigerian airports starting tomorrow, Wednesday, due to inadequate wages.
The circular was directed to key officials including the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Commissioner of Police at the Airports Command, the Airport Commandant, and the Director of the Department of State Security (DSS) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
The circular, bearing the signature of Ocheme Aba, the General Secretary of NUATE, expressed concern over the meager monthly payment of N30,000 for AVSEC personnel, many of whom hold graduate degrees.
He elaborated on the unsuccessful attempts to negotiate better salaries for their members previously and expressed astonishment at how N30,000 could be deemed satisfactory for the personnel in today’s Nigeria.
He pointed out that the management of all the companies within the industry have been unable to secure appropriate agreements that would ensure equitable compensation for their employees.
According to the circular “With current salary levels as low as N30,000 a month for graduates, there is no gain saying that AVSEC employment in Nigeria is nothing other than a slave labour camp; to call a spade a spade.
“This situation can no longer be allowed to continue. In this regard, and further to our letter of ultimatum dated June 26, 2023, all workers in all aviation Logistics companies in Nigeria are hereby directed to totally withdraw services as of August 16, 2023, indefinitely, until our demand for fair remuneration is met.”
Aba further mentioned that sole authorization for issuing any subsequent directives on this matter lies with the national secretariat of NUATE.
The circular also instructed NUATE’s state councils and branches in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu to be actively involved in ensuring complete adherence to the notice.
“Please note that only the National Secretariat of NUATE is authorized to issue any further directives on this matter.
“State Councils and Branches of NUATE in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu are hereby directed to be on hand to assure full compliance with this notice.”
