The
National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, National Union of Air
Transport Employees and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of
Nigeria have directed workers of Arik Air to commence an indefinite strike
action today (Tuesday) over non-payment of seven months’ salaries.
The
strike, according to a statement jointly signed by Abba Ocheme, Olayinka Abioye
and Francis Akinjole, on behalf of the three unions, will continue until
the management of Arik Air pays the arrears of seven months’ salaries and give
a commitment to pay salaries as and when due.
The
unions also called for total unionisation of Arik’s employees in compliance
with extant labour laws and with respect to the constitution of the country.
They
also asked the management of Arik Air to recall all sacked employees, who had
been allegedly victimised for their roles in the effort to bring about
unionisation in the company.
Some
other issues that the unions want settled before calling off the strike include
the immediate review of all employee remuneration, which they stated had
remained the same since the inception of Arik Air over 10 years ago, and
immediate commencement of negotiations on the conditions of service to be
concluded within four weeks.
Others
are remittance of pension, tax and statutory deductions to the appropriate
authorities and compliance by the management of the carrier with the 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 unions said in the statement.
They
stated that the aviation workers would be supported by employees from all other
sectors throughout the country to underscore the seriousness of the matter at
hand.
The
union added, “In the above respect, all ground handling services, security
clearance for Arik Air ticket holders, marshalling, aviation fuel supply, air traffic
control, safety inspection, etc. will be completely withdrawn.”
Arik
Air’s spokesperson, Mr. Ola Adebanji, could not be reached for comments. He did
not answer calls put through to his mobile phone and failed to respond to a
text message sent to him on the subject.
Source:The
Punch
Tags
Business