Four major aviation unions have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the management of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, warning that failure to conclude the long-delayed review of staff Conditions of Service will result in a total withdrawal of services across the institution.The unions — Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, National Union of Air Transport Employees, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers — made this known in a joint statement made available to journalists on Saturday.In the statement, the unions said they were acting out of “grave concern and indignation” over what they described as management’s continued indecision and lack of seriousness regarding staff welfare and industrial harmony.It will be recalled that the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, one of the country’s aviation agencies, on Tuesday announced the approval of its revised Conditions of Service following a comprehensive review.Staff of NCAT have at different times complained that workers in other aviation agencies, such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, enjoy better welfare packages than they do.According to the statement, NCAT management has repeatedly failed to conclude the review of the institution’s Conditions of Service despite several engagements, meetings, and assurances given to staff unions over time.
The unions lamented that while they had remained patient and cooperative in the interest of institutional stability, management had not shown the same level of commitment.