Passengers were left stranded in Lagos and Abuja on Tuesday as aviation labour unions shut down operations of Air Peace over alleged anti-union practices and failure to remit a five per cent ticket sales charge to aviation agencies.
The action was carried out by the National Union of Air Transport Employees, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, under the coordination of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
The unions picketed the airline in the early hours of Tuesday, following a three-day strike notice issued to affected domestic airlines over what they described as unresolved grievances.
The aviation unions had earlier warned on August 4 that they could commence industrial action at any time if the airlines failed to address the issues raised.
They alleged that some domestic airlines had continued to prevent their employees from freely joining trade unions, claiming that workers were afraid to express their desire to belong to unions because of possible discrimination or victimisation.
The unions also accused the affected airlines of withholding a five per cent ticket sales charge already collected from passengers, which they said was meant to fund the operations of aviation agencies.
According to the unions, the alleged non-remittance had affected the implementation of negotiated collective bargaining agreements covering their members in various aviation agencies.
They said, “We want unequivocal declarations through circulars and other direct means of communication to their staff that they are free to join unions of their choices without fear of victimisation.”
The unions further demanded the immediate remittance of the funds, warning that continued discontent among aviation workers could have serious consequences for the industry.
They said, “This continues to breed disgruntled air transport workers; the implication of which is an accident in the waiting.”
The unions had also called for the immediate release of the withheld operational funds to enable aviation agencies implement the conditions of service negotiated for their workers.
As of the time of filing this report, Air Peace had not issued a public statement on the allegations or the disruption of its operations.
