Aviation workers threaten strike over 50% revenue cut

Aviation workers across Nigeria plan to hold a nationwide protest on August 21, 2024, due to the Federal Government’s ongoing deduction of 50% from the internally generated revenue of major aviation agencies.

The unions announced this in a letter on August 14, 2024, titled “Save Aviation From Collapse,” which was released to journalists today.

The agencies involved are:

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.

The letter read:

“All workers of the NCAA, FAAN, NAMA, NiMet, NCAT and NSIB, joined by the solidarity of all aviation workers…

“Are hereby directed to embark on peaceful protests at all airports nationwide on Wednesday, August 21, 2024…

“To demand the discontinuation of deduction of 50% from the internally generated revenue of the agencies mentioned above through exemption.

“All efforts on our part have failed to impress it upon the Federal Government that all the Agencies are cost recovery, and not profit making, organisations.

“As such they cannot survive on half of their incomes under any model of administration or any other guise whatsoever.”

“Information available to us indicates that some important safety critical activities of the Agencies are grinding to a halt under the yoke of the deductions.

“It has, therefore, become incumbent on us as trade unions and workers in aviation to let the public and the government be aware…

“That we shall bear no responsibility in the certain event that the industry becomes dysfunctional as a result of financial incapacity due to the deductions at source.

“All State Councils, Women Commissions/Committees, Youth Councils and Branches of our Unions nationwide…

“Are to fully mobilise for, and ensure full compliance and success of the peaceful protests.”

Strikes in Nigeria

Strikes by government organizations in Nigeria are a recurring issue, often reflecting deeper structural problems within the country’s governance, economy, and labor relations.

These strikes typically arise due to unmet demands related to salaries, working conditions, or broader policy disagreements.

Common Causes of Strikes

Unpaid Salaries: A significant number of strikes are triggered by delayed or unpaid salaries.

Workers in various government organizations, including ministries, parastatals, and agencies, often go on strike to demand payment of arrears.

Poor Working Conditions: Many government workers strike over inadequate working conditions, which include lack of basic amenities, outdated equipment, and unsafe work environments.

Retrenchment and Job Cuts: Protests against mass layoffs or retrenchments, especially in times of economic downturns, are another common cause of strikes.

Pension Arrears: Pensioners, particularly those in government services, frequently organize strikes or protests due to the non-payment of pensions and gratuities.

Policy Disagreements: Strikes often protest government policies perceived as harmful, such as changes to labor laws or pension reforms.

Aviation strike history

The aviation sector in Nigeria has a history of labor unrest dating back to the post-independence era.

Frequent labor disputes are marked by salary arrears, poor working conditions, and disagreements over government policies.

Aviation workers, including pilots, engineers, and air traffic controllers and other related personnel, are crucial to the country’s transportation network.

Their strikes are particularly impactful due to this critical role.

Triggers of aviation strikes

Unpaid Salaries and Allowances: One of the most frequent triggers for strikes among aviation workers is the non-payment of salaries and allowances.

This issue has been exacerbated by economic downturns and the financial instability of some airline companies.

Safety and Working Conditions: Aviation workers have gone on strike to protest poor working conditions.

Their concerns include outdated equipment and unsafe environments that compromise both their safety and that of passengers.

Government Policies: Disagreements over government policies, such as privatization or restructuring of the aviation sector, have also led to strikes.

Workers often fear that such policies could lead to job losses or worsened working conditions.

Labor Union Activities: The aviation sector in Nigeria is highly unionized, with various unions representing different categories of workers.

These unions often lead strikes to press for better conditions and to resist policies they deem unfavorable.

Notable instances of the strikes

The 1980s – Early Strikes and Labor Unrest:

In the 1980s, Nigeria’s aviation sector faced strikes due to economic challenges and broader political instability.

These early strikes often ended quickly but paved the way for more organized labor actions in the following decades.

The 2000s – Frequent strikes amid economic turbulence:

•2005 Strike by Air Traffic Controllers: In 2005, air traffic controllers under the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) went on strike.

They demanded better working conditions and pay.

This strike paralyzed air traffic across the country and drew significant attention to the challenges facing the aviation sector.

The 2010s – Escalation of Labor Disputes:

•2016 strike over pension and welfare issues: In December 2016, workers of Arik Air, one of Nigeria’s largest airlines, went on strike.

They protested unpaid salaries, pension arrears, and other welfare issues.

The strike led to the grounding of Arik Air’s operations, causing widespread disruptions in domestic and international flights.

The 2020s – Ongoing Challenges and Strikes:

•2020 FAAN workers strike: In March 2020, FAAN workers went on strike to protest against non-payment of salaries and allowances.

The strike reflected wider aviation labor unrest worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic impact.

•2022 strike by aviation unions over minimum wage implementation: In February 2022, various aviation unions, including NUATE and ATSSSAN, threatened to go on strike.

This was due to the non-implementation of the new minimum wage and other unresolved welfare issues.

Although negotiations eventually called off the strike, they highlighted the sector’s persistent labor challenges.

The 2023 strike over proposed concession of airports:

In August 2023, aviation workers, including staff from FAAN, NCAA, and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), went on strike.

They protested against the proposed concession of major airports in the country.

The unions argued that the concession would lead to job losses and undermine the welfare of workers. The strike resulted in significant disruptions in flight operations and highlighted the ongoing t

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