Pilots, Air Transport Employees, Senior Banks Staff, Others Brace Up For Nationwide Strike

Some associations in the aviation and banking industries have confirmed their support towards the nationwide strike proposed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Naija News has learned.

According to them, as associations under either NLC or TUC, they are bound to obey the orders of organised labour, even if it means shutting down the airports and banks.

On Tuesday, the NLC and TUC decided to embark on a nationwide strike starting from October 3, 2023.

The decision was reached by the organised Labour Unions on Tuesday after the failure of the Federal Government to successfully implement policies to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.

The organised labour unions had made demands from the Federal Government following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit.

Among other things, the NLC and the TUC are asking for wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers and a review of the minimum wage.

The National President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, during a virtual National Executive Council meeting which was held on Zoom, Tuesday, told members of NEC that a meeting was held with the officials of the TUC to deliberate on ways forward.

Ajaero noted that it was resolved that the two centres work together to make their stance known to the government.

A source, present at the meeting who spoke with Punch, noted that some members of the NLC initially objected to the development of the NLC working together with the TUC.

Bracing up for the declared strike, the President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Elliot Ibie, said his colleagues would down tools in compliance with the NLC directive.

Ibie told The Punch that as an affiliate of NLC, it would surely join the industrial action because all of them are involved.

He said, ”Of course, we’d be joining the strike, we’re an affiliate of the NLC. We just finished a meeting, everybody is part of it.”

Asked if activities at the airport will be grounded, he said, “Yes, everywhere.”

Also, the President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Ben Nnabue, confirmed it will also down its tools in accordance with the NLC declaration.

He said, “Yes, we are an affiliate of NLC, so we’d be joining the strike.”

Similarly, the President of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, Oluwole Olusoji, said, “As an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress, we are bound by the resolutions until otherwise advised.

“We, however, expect that the government will act in good not just by making public pronouncements but actualising such statements without delay.”

The Head of Media of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Mr John Ikemefule, has also affirmed that maritime workers would shut down the ports and jetties from Tuesday.

He stated, “It has been confirmed that the union will be joining the NLC and TUC to shut down the country from October 3rd. There will be a total and indefinite shutdown of the country. We are going to withdraw our members from jetties and terminals.’’

On his part, Deputy President of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Emmanuel Jaja, said, “ATSSAN is under the Trade Union Congress, so we wait to get direction from our centre. As soon as we get directions from our labour centre, which is the TUC national, we take it from there.’’