Aviation Unions Seek Job Security For Staff During Airport Concession

Aviation unions under the joint union have called for job security and protection of staff amid the ongoing concessioning of some airports in Nigeria.

Speaking at the 12th edition of the Aviation Week & Award Night, the joint union chairman, Comrade Hector Nnadi, called for collaboration and partnerships between the union and the ministry to ensure the protection of staff.

He noted that though the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo has been doing a good job at the ministry, there is a need to work together to ensure that workers’ rights are protected and that the industry remains attractive to potential and existing investors

According to him, “As labour leaders, we recognise the critical role we play in maintaining workforce morale and advocating best practices and seamless operation of the industry. We are committed to working with management to address safety, productivity, and workers’ welfare issues.

“The recent developments in the industry, including the push by the aviation unions to protect workers in the ongoing airport concession and your concurrence on major demands by the unions, highlight the need for continuous collaboration and synergy. We must work together to ensure that workers’ rights are protected and that the industry remains attractive to potential and existing investors.

“I urge all stakeholders to join forces in the pursuit of a safer, more productive and sustainable aviation industry.”

Also speaking, the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr Yakubu Adam Koformata, charged the workers to be selfless in their duties as they are crucial to the daily activities of any country.

He urged them to always explore consultations, cooperation, and collaboration rather than resort to strike actions or quarrels with management.

According to him, “Please, I want us to know.

The question of even going on strike in this sector does not exist. We should not even think about it.

“In a relationship, be it an office relationship, be it a personal relationship, the three C’s should be applied. And what are the three C’s? One, consultation. Once you consult, even if you don’t get it at first, please continue to consult.

“The second one is cooperation. Cooperate with one another. And the third one is what? Collaboration. War doesn’t solve any problem. Why do we need to destroy? When we know at the end of the day, even if we go on strike, we still come back to collaborate, to cooperate and to consult.”