Aviation union workers have threatened to go on a one-day strike on August 21 to protest the federal government’s decision to deduct 50% of internally generated revenues from agencies in the aviation sector. The workers, representing five unions, claim that this deduction will lead to financial incapacity and potentially ground critical safety activities.
In a memo titled “Save Aviation From Collapse,” the unions, including NUATE, ATSSSAN, ANAP, NAAPE, and AUPCTRE, directed all workers to participate in peaceful protests at airports nationwide. They argue that the agencies affected, such as NCAA, FAAN, and NIMET, are cost-recovery organizations that cannot survive on half of their incomes.
The unions claim that all efforts to persuade the government to discontinue the deductions have failed, and they will not be responsible if the industry becomes dysfunctional due to financial constraints. They have instructed all members to comply with the directive and enforced the strike without compromise.
This strike notice follows a similar call by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) on May 30, which requested a reversal of the 50% deduction, citing significant financial constraints and hindrances to maintaining critical infrastructure.
