Aviation ministry, unions meet over strike threat

Authorities of the Ministry of Aviation and workers in the industry are billed to meet in Abuja today over threat by the unions to shut down airports, Daily Trust gathered.

The meeting is at the instance of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Binta Bello, who was said to have waded into the differences between the unions and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The workers under the aegis of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and National Association of Aircraft Pilot and Engineers (NAAPE) had threatened to shut down airports last Sunday.

They however backtracked at the last minute, allowing for the continuation of negotiation with the authorities.

The meeting slated for today in Abuja is to enable stakeholders iron out issues that have pitted the union against the regulatory authority.

The unions are angry over what they called refusal of NCAA management to promote staff who are due for promotion and non- implementation of other conditions of service.

General Secretary of NAAPE, Comrade Aba Ocheme, said the unions were ready to negotiate with the government.

Meanwhile, an aviation expert, Captain Dele Ore, in a chat with Daily Trust said dialogue should be continuously employed in handling issues between aviation authorities and the union. This, he noted, is imperative to the smooth running of the system. According to him, all hands must be on deck to ensure that flight services are not disrupted.