Arik workers threaten to withdraw service in absence of condition of service

2 min read

3 years ago Managing Editor: Akin Kola-Akinlade

The lingering dispute between Arik air management and its workers which predates the advent of Covid-19 but which the pandemic helped pushed to the fore has taking a new twist.

A media statement by the two unions concerned, the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, have put Arik on notice of their members intention to withdraw their service if by Monday, 14^th September, no positive reaction comes from the management.

The unions in a letter dated 10^th September, 2020 and jointly signed by Comrade Ocheme Aba, Secretary General, NUATE, and Frances Akinjole, Deputy General Secretary, ATSSSAN, it accused the management of taking undue advantage of the unions peaceable disposition to resolving the lingering condition of service in dispute.

According to the media statement, the notice of withdrawal service earlier schedule for 17^th August, 2020, “was shelved temporarily to allow for further dialogue at the instance of the Minister Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.

The statement however lamented that, “unfortunately and regrettably, the management of Arik took advantage of our peaceable disposition to continually frustrate our efforts to resolve the condition of service negotiations as well as our demand for just and fair treatment of the workers during covid-19 period”

Hence the statement said “in response therefore our unions have no alternative than to reinstate the notice of withdrawal of service”

It accordingly reinstated the notice of withdrawal of service, and stated that “all Arik workers other than Pilots and Engrs, are hereby directed to withdraw all services with effect from 14^th September 2020, until the time issues stated above are satisfactorily resolved”