Aviation Workers Suspend Planned Sector Shutdown After Government Intervention

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced on Sunday that aviation unions have suspended their planned nationwide shutdown of air transport services, which was scheduled to begin Monday.

The suspension follows negotiations between the government and union leaders representing the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUCPTRE).

The unions had jointly issued a statement on August 8, threatening to withdraw services in protest over poor remuneration and other unresolved welfare issues.

Keyamo, in a statement via his official account, said the intervention was made possible through his long-standing relationship with labour unions and a commitment to address their concerns.

“After our intervention, the planned strike by the aviation unions due to commence tomorrow has been shelved. We will work with our comrades to resolve all outstanding issues in the sector, one after the other,” he said.

The minister noted that many of the issues predated the current administration but assured stakeholders that they would be resolved through continued engagement.