Nigeria aviation workers begin strike over pay

By Olanrewaju Kola

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Aviation workers on Monday began a two-day strike over pay and working conditions, disrupting domestic flights.

"We decided to embark on two days warning strike starting from Monday to Tuesday because of the failure of the government to address the issue of national minimum wage for aviation workers," Sheri Kyari, president of the National Association of Aviation Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), told reporters.

He said the workers on strike include members of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees.

The striking workers also blocked roads leading to the Lagos airport at noon, slowing traffic.

Yusuf Adams, a passenger, told Anadolu his trip to Abuja in the morning was postponed as air travels were suspended at the Lagos airport, the country's commercial hub.

Air Peace, a private Nigerian airline, said "flights across our network will consequently be disrupted" due to the strike.

Another private carrier United Nigeria said passengers "might experience disruptions on our flights operating in and out of Lagos due to the ongoing Aviation union strike."

A meeting to resolve the industrial dispute between the aviation workers and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, ended in stalemate on Sunday. The workers have threatened to hold an indefinite strike if their grievances are not addressed.​​​​​​​