Passengers Stranded As Aviation Unions Begin Strike

Passengers were on Monday stranded in the Murtala Muhammad Airport (MMA) terminal as aviation unions began their two-day warning strike.
The Tide source reports that members of the union blocked the entrance of the MMA, leaving passengers stranded.
Officials of various aviation agencies, including owners of businesses and staff within the airport, did not have access to their offices.
The source, who monitored the airport, noted that flight operations were grounded, and there was heavy traffic around the airport and its environs due to the strike.
The source reports that passengers were seen trekking and dragging their luggage due to the disruption caused by the strike.
Some passengers, who spoke with the source lamented the situation, noting that the passengers were at the receiving end of the “crossfire”.
Mr John Thompson, who was visibly angry, expressed his frustration at the situation.
“Everytime there is an issue and they decide to go on strike, it is the passengers who have absolutely no business in it, that suffers.
“Like the daily problems in the country are not enough, they are adding theirs and I have nothing to do with it”, he said.
Another passenger, Miss Tinuke Adeite, voiced her frustration at the trend of agencies embarking on strike due to internal disputes.
“What is not my business with the issues they have with the authorities? and in all of these, I would miss my flight.
“There are better ways to resolve issues than destabilising the economy of the country by going on strike”, she said.
The source further repots that the unions are demanding the immediate release of the reviewed Condition of Service, implementation of the minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NiMet since 2019.
They also demanded the halt of the planned demolition exercise of aviation’s agency buildings in Lagos by the Minister of Aviation for an airport city project.