Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has turned its back on strike. AON said the proposed industrial action to be embarked upon by the organized labour unions in the country is definitely going to further threaten the recovery of the already negatively impacted the aviation industry in Nigeria.

The President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Alhaji (Dr.) Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina has declared unequivocally that the Association completely dissociates itself from the planned indefinite strike action called by Labour over the issues of the Government’s recent increase of Fuel Price and Electricity Tariff in the country.

Alhaji Abdulmunaf noted that airlines had suffered huge losses for over three (3) months during the COVID-19 lockdown and were forced due to no fault of theirs to even lay off staff and significantly reduce the salaries of those that were retained.

“It would be very insensitive therefore and a show of lack of understanding and compassion for Nigerian Aviation workers who have suffered greatly from the nationwide restrictions due to the pandemic to be asked to go on strike indefinitely once again.

“Aviation workers need to work to sustain their livelihoods and support their families especially at this crucial time when schools are resuming around the country and they need all the financial support they can muster to survive. 

“While we totally understand the concerns of Labour of the need to make Government see reason with and identify with the challenges being faced currently by the masses and recently worsened by the ripple effects from the sudden increase in fuel price and electricity tariff, we call on the leaders of the various Labour Unions to continue to dialogue with the government to find a middle ground that will be a win-win situation for all parties.

“It is not in the interest of Aviation Workers to be asked to go back home indefinitely once again after barely resuming operations very recently and the airlines are still trying to recover from the lockdown and making concerted efforts to survive and secure the jobs and livelihood of its workers,” stressed Alhaji Abdulmunaf.

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) are the industry unions registering their support for the planned nationwide action.

Industry unions in support of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to go on strike in protest to the increased Petrol Motoring Spirit (PMS) pump price and the electricity tariff, have mobilized workers within the sector to withdraw their services from the country’s airports from September 28 to in solidarity with planned action.

 “As you are aware, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria have declared indefinite nationwide strike action with effect from Monday, September 28, 2020,” said the unions in a statement.

“As such, all workers in the aviation sector are hereby directed to withdraw their services at all aerodromes nationwide as from 00hrs of 28th September 2020 until otherwise communicated by the NLC/TUC or our unions.

It is a fact that the global aviation industry is still struggling to recover from the hit by Covid-19. The planned action is going to further retrogress successes achieved so far.

SOURCE: AviationAges