Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – Air Peace operations are disrupted at the Lagos and Abuja airports on Tuesday as aviation unions begin picketing the airline over alleged anti-union practices and outstanding regulatory charges.
Passengers are left stranded as 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) commence the industrial action.
The unions are backed by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The labour groups accuse Air Peace of preventing some workers from freely joining trade unions and allege that the airline has failed to remit ticket sales charges owed to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The unions had issued a picketing notice on August 4, warning that they could commence industrial action “at any time without further notice” if their grievances were not resolved.
They say they exercised considerable restraint and allowed the airline several weeks to address the disputes but allege that the outstanding issues remain unresolved.
According to the unions, attempts to secure recognition of workers’ freedom of association have failed, prompting them to escalate the dispute.
The labour groups also maintain that the alleged failure to remit ticket sales charges to the NCAA remains unresolved despite previous engagements with the airline.
They say dialogue has failed to produce a satisfactory outcome, leaving picketing as the next step in their industrial action.
The unions say the action is intended to pressure Air Peace to respect workers’ rights, meet its financial obligations to the aviation regulator and resolve other outstanding grievances.
The disruption is expected to affect scheduled flights and passengers travelling through the Lagos and Abuja airports.
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Oluwatobi Adu 
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