Aviation unions issue FG 14-day ultimatum over concession plans, workers welfare

By Rukaiya Maina

Aviation unions in the country have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to address their concerns over the ongoing airport concession and workers’ welfare, warning of possible industrial action if their demands are not met.

The unions also collectively demanded the approval and implementation of reviewed FAAN conditions of service within the next two months and the implementation of the negotiated salary review by March 2025, warning that failure to meet these demands may result in the disruption of aviation activities in the country. “The unions will not guarantee industrial peace in FAAN. Consequently, all workers are hereby put on red alert for further directives from the unions,” the statement read.

In a joint statement following their congress, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) condemned the draft concession agreements for selected airports being drawn up without the unions’ input. They demanded the inclusion of their representatives from the national and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) branches in the concession committee.

The President of NUATE, Ben Nnabue, decried the lack of transparency in the process, stating that the government was proceeding to concession some airports in a manner that was not known to any of them.

According to him, “Posterity will not forgive them if they go to represent FAAN and sell FAAN out without consulting stakeholders. There is no information that is hidden forever.”

He added that the Minister, Festus Keyamo, had told them that he was not pursuing concessions, but the unions were surprised to see documents on concessions from the Ministry. Nnabue said that the Minister had assured them that labour issues would be discussed with the unions, adding that the documents being circulated contained legal issues. “They didn’t discuss with us, and they are writing issues affecting our members,” Nnabue stated. “The unions have lost confidence in the management of the agencies attending meetings with the Minister,” he added.

Nnabue further revealed that the agreement contained conflicting timelines, with 50 years in the Full Business Case but 80 years in the agreement, raising concerns about the intention of the concession plans.

Meanwhile, the President of ANAP, Adedayo Alale, said that the process of concessioning Enugu Airport was almost concluded, while those of Port Harcourt and Kano have also been planned. Also speaking at the congress, the 3rd National Vice President of ATSSSAN, John Ogbe, assured that the unions were not against concessions but wanted due process to be followed. “We are against a non-transparent and non-inclusive process. The aviation workers are critical stakeholders and must be carried along.” Ogbe noted that in the last plan, the unions had the opportunity to study the Outline Business Case, saying that what they witnessed recently were unsolicited Outline Business Cases. He said the government wants to adopt the Full Business Case without the workers’ input and urged the government to dialogue with workers regarding the concession.