Juliet Jacob Ochenje
The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has embarked on an indefinite strike over non-payment of salaries among other issues affecting its members. This move has caused an indefinite disruption in air transport activities in the country.
The strike action which began on Wednesday, urged workers from the Aviation Security (AVSEC) and logistics sub-sectors to follow suit by withdrawing their services.
In a circular signed by the General Secretary, NUATE, Comrade Ocheme Aba, stated that the withdrawal of services was inevitable.
According to Mr. Aba, “As you are all aware, the union has done everything possible to resolve the lingering crisis of extreme impoverishment of employees of the Aviation Security (AVSEC) and logistics sub-sectors of the aviation industry in Nigeria, but to no avail.
“The managements of all the companies in the business have all failed to secure decent contracts that can provide fair remuneration for their workers, with current salary levels as low as N30,000 a month for graduates, there is no denying 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.”.
