The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has called on the national body of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), to urgently intervene by providing maximum solidarity in the picketing of debtor Airlines in the country commencing today
This just the body described Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), domestic owners of airlines act as a unified cartel by resisting labour unions.
NUATE said the picketing commences Tuesday following the refusal by AON to meet with them to resolve the lingering issues at stake
“The picketing exercise is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, 11th August, 2026.
Given the strategic nature of the aviation sector and the anticipated resistance from the employers, we urgently require the administrative weight, strategic guidance, and physical solidarity of the NLC”
In a petition signed by the general Secretary of NUATE, Comrade Paul Igene titled ‘RE: Notice of Breakdown of Talks And Commencement of Picketing Action Against the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON)’ NUATE accused AON of framing unionization not as a worker welfare issue, but as a disruptive, anti-business force.
The union disclosed that all it’s efforts to unionize them has been resisted adding that they have refused invitations issued by the Ministry of Labour to appear before them.
NUATE also alleged that AON members employ casual labour endemically and massively, recalling that NUATE in concert with ATSSSAN issued a formal ultimatum to AON management regarding lingering labour infractions, unfair industrial practices concerning the 5% Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) which is a statutory obligation established by law, with the necessary backing of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) instruments, and not a discretionary payment.
It noted that as at the last count the domestic airlines were withholding over N25billion, meant for operations and workers welfare to NCAA and other aviation Agencies, making it impossible for them to implement our CBAs and our joint agreements with the agencies, as at when due.
“At the expiration of the ultimatum, the Honourable Minister of Aviation apprehended the dispute and called for a mandatory mediation meeting between our unions and the airline operators.
Regrettably, the conciliation talks collapsed completely. Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue, the representatives of the airline operators wrote to the minister of aviation that they cannot meet with the union leadership”
NUATE decried their blatant disrespect for the mediation process and contempt for organized labour have left them with no alternative but to escalate the situation leading to the National Administrative Council (NAC) of NUATE, relying on an earlier NEC directive has resolved to commence a comprehensive picketing action against all domestic airline operations nationwide.
“We request that you mobilize affiliate unions, particularly within the transport sector, to join us at the barricades to ensure a successful and hitch-free enforcement exercise”
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