CHUKS OKOH
Irked by the petition by the management of Air Peace to the Inspector General of Police over last month’s picketing, members of the National Union Of Air Transport Employees, (NUATE) say, the union will any moment close down the airport.
NUATE called on the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo to call the management of the airline to order by withdrawing the petition sent to the police and face the terrorism charges against them for driving into the tarmac and blocking the runway with their vehicles
The general secretary of NUATE, Comrade Paul Igene, who spoke with our Aviation Editor said, instead of the drivers that drove the vehicles into the tarmac to be facing terrorism charges, the police have released the vehicles with which they blocked the runway.
Igene revealed that the matter will be reported to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for necessary desciplinary action as no sane person will drive a vehicle to block the airport runway
The NUATE scribe noted that all security agencies were notified before the commencement of the picketing and they did not go there with arms adding, that the aviation sector should not be run like a motor park
Igene said, the picketing was carried out in the interest of safety of the aviation industry as the unions can no longer close their eyes and watch employers toy with the welfare of workers as it could lead compromise in safety
According to him, the airline has just started a new battle and should allow the committee set up by the Minister to do do it’s work adding that anything contrary to the laid down terms by the federal government in trying to resolve the issue between the airlines and unions.
Igene revealed that no prior notice will be given before closing down the airport.
Meanwhile, three aviation unions have vowed that no worker will be victimised this time for joining unions and enjoined all interested workers to join the union of their choices as they are well protected
Speaking on webinar, titled ‘Lessons from the Aviation Sector Strike, Organising, Workers Power and Union Rights’ Comrade Frances Akinjole, assured workers yet to join union that they should do so as their names will be forwarded to both the ministry of Labour and Aviation for protection without victimisation from their employers.
Akinjole who is the general secretary of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) said with the plans adopted, no worker will be victimised as any worker who showed interest will be registered and name sent to the two ministries for documentation and protection
According to ATSSSAN scribe, several workers were ready to join the unions but were afraid that their employers will sack them, assuring them that none of them will be sacked.
It will be recalled that 27 workers were sacked in one of the private establishments in the aviation industry during the same exercise years back but Akinjole has vowed that such will not happen this time around.
This according to him, has been perfected as necessary protection for them have been put in place.
Also speaking, the National treasurer of NUATE, Comrade Safiya Araga, said unions were not against any airline in the country but always protect the welfare of workers for the betterment of the industry and the nation’s safety.
Araga explained that no union will embark on picket of airlines that complied to the unions demand and welfare adding that the August 11 picketing would have been avoided but was aggravated by the threat from the management of Air Peace failing to honour the call by the federal government for a meeting.
