AVIATION WORKERS SUSPEND PLANNED STRIKE AS PAY TALKS PROGRESSES

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By: Sefiu Ajape

Aviation unions within the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency have suspended their planned strike, citing positive progress in negotiations for improved pay.

Recall that the unions earlier instructed NAMA staff to withdraw services indefinitely from Monday, August 11, over unresolved salary demands.

In a fresh directive, the coalition explained that the strike was deferred following recent developments, including the Budget Office’s issuance of a “no objection” letter to the National Incomes, Salaries and Wages Commission and assurances from NAMA’s management to fast-track payment of revised remuneration with August salaries.

The announcement was contained in a joint statement issued on Friday by the Secretary General of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, AbdulRasaq Saidu; Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Odinaka Igbokwe; Principal Deputy General Secretary of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Frances Akinjole; and General Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, Alo Lawrence.

“Yesterday, we were compelled by unfavourable circumstances surrounding our quest for improved remunerations to reinforce our earlier notice of withdrawal of services to the effect of issuing clear directive to commence the action on Monday 11th August, 2025.

“Now, however, due to the hard work of the management of NAMA and the intervention of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and other senior officials of the ministry, we are happy to report that there have been some positive developments around the issue.

“In this respect, we note the release of the ‘no objection’ letter from the Budget Office to the National Incomes, Salaries and Wages Commission yesterday (7 August, 2025), and the letter from the management of NAMA to its staff to the effect of its strenuous efforts and expectations to ensure payment of the new remunerations along with August salaries.

“Based on the above, and in order to demonstrate good faith, our unions have taken the decision to defer the strike action scheduled to commence on Monday 11th August, 2025, pending the state of affairs on the subject matter at the end of August, 2025,” the statement reads.

The unions enjoined all staff of NAMA to join them in keeping a hopeful watch as the situation unfolds.