Aviation unions on Monday protested at the airports nationwide against the anti-labour clauses in the new aviation bills currently awaiting the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The unions are made up of the Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP).
The offices of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), National Airspace Management Agencies (NAMA) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) are locked as all union workers joined in the protest in Lagos airport.
There was heavy traffic movement on Monday morning at the local wing of the Lagos airports as the unions workers matched around the domestic terminals chanting solidarity songs and carried placards.
The Secretary General NUATE, Mr Ocheme Aba, said the protest was a demonstration by those who smuggled in this clause into the bill to deny them of their rights of association and of expression.
Aba decried that if the bill is signed, they would not embark on strike, while the minister of aviation would henceforth directs the affairs of the unions.
The NUATE scribe said the bill had classified the unions as essential personnel which was in variance with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention.
Aba noted that if no action was taken to expunge the clause after 14 days, aviation workers would embark on a full blown strike.
“The unions also kicked over provisions in the bill, which gives the Minister of Aviation overriding powers to direct affairs on issues affecting trade unions in the industry.
“This provisions in the new bill awaiting the president assent is an usurpation of the duties of the Ministry of Labour..
” Also, the withdrawal of services by personnel that threatens lives can be described as essential , for which the transport sector does not qualify.
“Only air traffic control services qualify as essential: because their advisory function to aircraft in flight,” he said.
Aba said aviation unions had carried along the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress along to reverse the ugly trend; which sought to muzzle aviation workers.
