Anti-labour Laws: Aviation Unions Issue 14-day Ultimatum To Federal Govt

Aviation workers have vowed to shutdown all airports nationwide, if their demand is not met after the 14 days ultimatum.

The general secretary of National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Ocheme Aba, who made this known to LEADERSHIP on phone said: “unless the clauses which are meant to silence union activities in the industry are withdrawn within the 14 days all airports nationwide will be shut down.”

He stated that, though the unions held a warning protest on Monday, unless the clauses which, if allowed, would remove the rights of workers to express their feelings are removed, the workers would be forced to shut down aviation industry.

He noted that, it is a globally recognised practice for workers to express their dissatisfaction over any anti-labour activities through protest and strike, hence, workers in aviation sector  in Nigeria will not allow themselves to be caged.

Recall that the workers under the aegis of Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers

(NAAPE), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and Amal-gamated Unions of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), on Monday, embarked on peaceful protest against the clause that was smuggled into the bill meant to by signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The unions said the clause was a deceptive attempt’ to restrain their powers and eradicate unionism in the sector.

The controversial clauses are: “all services which facilitate and maintain the smooth, orderly and safe take-off, flight and landing of aircraft, embarkation and disembarkation and evacuation of passengers and cargo respectively in all aerodromes in Nigeria are hereby designated as essential services pursuant to the provisions of  Section 11(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered).

“The minister may, by regulations, prohibit all or such class or classes of workers, officers and other employees or persons, whether corporate or natural, engaged in the provision of services specified in  subsection (1) of this section from taking part in a strike or other industrial action.

“The provisions of the Trade Disputes (Essential Services) Act, Cap.  T9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 shall apply to service in the agency, facilities managed by the agency and in the implementation of this bill. There shall be no strikes, lockouts, pickets, blockades, service disruptions, etc. of any kind within all facilities managed by the agency and where any labour dispute arises, such dispute shall be resolved by the agency.”