The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, National Union of Air Transport Employees and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Associati
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. According to a statement jointly signed by Abba Ocheme, Olayinka Abioye and Francis Akinjole, on behalf of the three unions, the strike 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.
Also, to ensure full realisation of the strike action, all services being rendered by third parties aviation workers such as ground handling services, security clearance for Arik Air ticket holders, marshalling, aviation fuel supply, air traffic control, safety inspection, are to be withdraw in complete solidarity with the members of staff of Arik. 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.
Arik Air is owned by Chief Joseph Arumemi Ikhide
