Aviation Unions To Shut Down Arik Air Over 7 Months Salary Arrears, Other issues

The National Executive Council of National Association of Aircraft Pilot and Engineers (NAAPE), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN) have concluded plan to shut down Arik Air with effect from 00:00hrs of Tuesday December 20, 2016 over seven months’ salary arrears and for allegedly not complying with Nigerian Expatriate Quota law.

As a result National Executive Council of NAAPE, NUATE and ATSSSAN have directed the commencement of a joint industrial action at Arik Air with effect from 00:00hrs of Tuesday December 20^th, 2016.

According to the unions, the strike shall continue indefinitely until the following conditions are fully realised.

The decision to embark on industrial against the airline was made known in an online statement signed by the General Secretary of NAAPE, Comrade Aba Ocheme, and General Secretary of NUATE, Comrade Olayinka Abioye and Head of Secretariat, ATSSAN Barrister Frances Akinjole

The grievances of the unions are that :the management of Arik Air allows total unionisation of its employees in compliance with extant labour laws and with respect to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria., Arik Air recalls all sacked employees, who has been victimised for their roles in the effort to bring about unionisation in Arik Air, payment of salary arrears of seven months with commitment to pay salaries as at when due hence forth and immediate review of all employee remunerations which have remained the same since inception of Arik Air over ten years ago.

Other conditions the unions gave for the planned industrial action are that the airline must immediate commencement of negotiations of Conditions of Service(CoS) to be concluded within four (4) weeks, remittance of Pension, Tax, and statutory deductions to the appropriate authorities and that the management of Arik complies with Nigerian Expatriate Quota law.

The three unions added that towards the full realisation of the industrial action, all aviation workers, in complete solidarity with their enslaved comrades in Arik Air shall withdraw all services being rendered by third parties.

According to them, “The aviation workers will be supported by Nigerian workers from all other sectors throughout Nigeria to underscore the seriousness of the matter at hand.

The unions further said that in the above respect, all ground handling services, security clearance for Arik Air ticket holders, marshaling, aviation fuel supply, air traffic control and safety inspection among others will be completely withdrawn.

They urged Arik Air employees, aviation workers, and other stakeholders are hereby enjoined to ensure full compliance with this directive please.

The General Manager, Communications and Public Relations, Mr Adebanji Ola could not be reached for the airline’s official reaction.

Source: Abelnewsng