The unions involved in this action include the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).
This directive from the aviation unions is in line with a joint session of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC and the TUC that took place on Tuesday. Last week, NLC President Joe Ajaero was assaulted in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, just before a planned protest in the state.
This attack prompted the NLC and TUC to call for the shutdown of essential services in Imo as a protest, with a nationwide strike scheduled to commence on November 14, 2023.
In their strike notice to aviation workers, the five unions ordered their members to refrain from providing services to Owerri flights, both inbound and outbound. The strike notice was jointly signed by NUATE General Secretary Ocheme Aba, ATSSSAN Deputy General Secretary Frances Akinjole, ANAP Secretary General AbdulRasaq Saidu, NAAPE Deputy General Secretary Umoh Ofonime, and AUPCTRE General Secretary Sikiru Waheed.
Additionally, the notice declared Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State persona non grata at all airports in Nigeria until he rectifies his actions. The unions also expressed their intent to take international measures to blacklist Hope Uzodimma globally.
Furthermore, all aviation workers at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri are instructed to stay at home, effective from midnight on November 8, 2023, as per the directives from the NLC and TUC.
This notice is intended to inform airport managements, airlines operating to and from Owerri, prospective passengers traveling to and from Owerri, and the general public about the situation for advance awareness.