Aviation unions in Nigeria have temporarily suspended an indefinite strike, allowing flight operations to resume at the Lagos airport and other affected terminals.
This follows negotiations between the labor unions and the Federal Government regarding a new minimum wage.
According to Francis Akinjole, the General Secretary of the Air Traffic Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, the strike has been “relaxed” for one week to enable continued talks between the unions and the government. Akinjole stated that all barricaded access points at the domestic airport terminals in Lagos have been reopened, allowing normal activities to resume.
Alale Adedayo, the President General of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), confirmed that the organized labor had accepted the Federal Government’s offer to continue negotiations. He noted that flight operations have restarted at the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja.
Passengers were observed boarding flights with various airlines, including Value Jet, Ibom Air, Arik Air, and United Nigeria Airline, at the Murtala Mohammed Airport II, which is managed by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd.
However, some disruptions were reported, as a Value Jet passenger headed to Abuja, Muyioluwa Maraiyese, expected the labor unions to barricade roads during the strike, in addition to disrupting flight operations. Additionally, an aggrieved passenger of Air Peace, Monalisa Phillip, stated that the airline had rescheduled flights without providing a reason.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that activities at the domestic wing of the airport were in full swing, indicating a gradual return to normalcy.
The NLC (Nigerian Labor Congress) and TUC (Trade Union Congress) had embarked on the indefinite strike on Monday, following the inconclusiveness of negotiations on a new minimum wage. However, the unions have now suspended the strike for a week to facilitate continued discussions with the Federal Government.
