Passengers Stranded as Protesting Workers Shutdown Arik Airline

Protesting Workers

There is currently an ongoing protest at the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed airport in Lagos as workers shutdown operations. 

Few days after lack maintenance controversy, the flight operations of Arik Airlines has been grounded by Aviation unions under the auspices of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE, over protracted labour issues.

The unions said the picketing of the airline will continue until the management allows total unionisation of its employees in compliance with extant labour laws and with respect to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria..

Also, they want the firm to recall all sacked employees who has been victimised for their roles in the effort to bring about unionisation in the company. They also demanded payment of salary arrears of seven months with commitment to pay salaries as at when due hence forth.

A statement issued yesterday night and signed by Comrade Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary, NUATE, Comrade Frances Akinjole, Head of Secretariate ATSSAN, and Comrade Aba Ocheme, General Secretary, NAAPE, said; "The National Executive Council of NAAPE, NUATE and ATSSSAN has directed the commencement of a joint strike action at Arik air with effect from midnight of Tuesday December 20th, 2016. The strike shall continue indefinitely until the stated conditions are fully realized."