Why Airport Workers Embark on Strike

By Wale Abydeen/LAGOS// Few days ago, a ruckus unfolded at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos state, one of the busiest airports in Nigeria, this happened due to the fact that the NAHCO workers went on an unannouced strike because they haven’t been paid their dues for over a long period. Passengers were stranded! It was chaotic!

Airline Passengers and Flight Operations were Paralysed at the Muritala Mohammed International airport, Lagos – following an industrial action by workers of the National aviation handling company Plc (NAHCO)

Passengers who turned up for early Monday morning for domestic flight service and passengers on international departure were unable to get to their destination. According to This Day: “Nigeria’s major carrier Air Peace said it would lose about N500 million to flight cancellations, just as industry stakeholders condemned the strike.

Several flights that should emanate from the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), known as domestic terminal 1, where Arik Air and Air Peace operate most of their flights and the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, (MMA2) Lagos were either being delayed or rescheduled.

International flights serviced by NAHCO that flew in early Monday morning to the Lagos airport departed with empty aircraft, losing huge amount of money in revenue”

In the notice of strike signed by the Deputy General Secretary, ATSSSA, Frances Akinjole, and the General Secretary of NUATE, Ochema Aba, the leaders of the unions stated that break down of negations with NAHCO management over the review of workers’ salaries Is responsible for the industrial action.

We are demanding that relevant authorities intervene and the demands of the aggrieved workers be met, and also for the reimbursement of affected passengers.