Arik Air workers shut down operations over intolerance by new management to unionism

Mar 24, 2017: Several unions of aviation workers shut down operations for Arik Air over the failure of the management of the airline to reinstate its sacked workers. However, according to reports, the shutdown is being carried out by staff members of the airline over an alleged intolerance by the new management of the airline to aviation unionism. The new management had earlier reportedly told its workers not to join any of the aviation unions.

The general secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Olajide Abioye quoted by Premium Times, mentioned other irregularities from the new management of the airline. Abioye alleged that aside warning the workers not to join the unions in the aviation industry, the new management has also failed to attend to other outstanding issues affecting the workers.

The federal government had earlier on February 9 through Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria taken over the affairs of Arik Air. The decision became necessary because of Arik Air’s “bad corporate governance and erratic operational challenges.” Others challenges facing the airlines include its inability to pay staff salaries and heavy debt burden, among others.

The development was thus to ensure the airline returns back to regular and undisrupted operations, avoid job losses, protect investors and stakeholder funds as well as ensure safety and stability in the already challenged aviation sector.

In spite of the change of management, according to Olajide Abioye, the same issues that forced the workers to shut down operations for a day in December 2016 have remained unresolved.

The airline which is now being managed by managed by Captain Roy Ilegbodu, an aviation expert under the receivership of Oluseye Opasanya (SAN), is now accused of high-handedness in its relationship with the airline workers and aviation unions.

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