Workers’ welfare: Aviation unions to ground Arik Air operations

The three aviation unions; National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers ( NAAPE) , National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ( ATSSSAN) have called for a joint indefinite strike at Arik Air from Tuesday, December 20, 2016 until the management allows total unionization of its employees.

The conditions given to Arik Air by the unions will ground its operations as they have directed third party service providers including ground handling companies, ticket holders and other aviation workers which render support services to the airline to withdraw services to ensure full compliance.

The unions also directed air traffic controllers , aircraft safety inspectors and other third party suppliers to comply with the directive  of withdrawing services as part of steps to ensure full compliance with the industrial action.

Besides, unionization of its employees, the unions also directed Arik management to recall all sacked employees who were victimized for bringing unionization in the airline .

The unions also directed Arik management to commence payment payment of seven months salary arrears with commitment to pay as and when due henceforth .

In a joint statement signed on Monday evening by Comrades Olayinka Abioye, for NUATE, Ocheme Aba for NAAPE and  Francis Akinjoye, for ATSSSAN respectively , the unions also directed Arik management to catty out immediate review of the remuneration  of all employees, which has remained the same in the last ten years.

The unions also directed the airline carry out remittances of pension , taxes and statutory deductions to the appropriate authorities.

The statement partly reads :” The National Executive Council of NAAPE, NUATE and ATSSSAN has directed the commencement of a joint strike action at Arik air with effect from 00:00hrs of Tuesday December 20th, 2016.  The strike shall continue indefinitely until the following conditions are fully realised.

“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.

“The management of 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.

“Immediate review of all employee remunerations which have remained the same since inception of Arik Air over ten years ago.

“Immediate commencement of negotiations of Conditions of Service to be concluded within four (4) weeks.

“Remittance of Pension, Tax, and statutory deductions to the appropriate authorities.

“The management of Arik complies with Nigerian Expatriate Quota law.

“Towards the full realisation of the strike action, all aviation workers, in complete solidarity with their enslaved comrades in Arik Air shall withdraw all services being rendered by third parties.

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

“In the above respect, all ground handling services, security clearance for Arik Air ticket holders, marshaling, aviation fuel supply, air traffic control, safety inspection,  will be completely withdrawn.

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