A coalition of aviation workers’ unions have threatened to proceed with industrial action in the next 14 days if their demands are not met.
The workers will hold rallies today, September 12, at airports nationwide to protest anti-labour clauses in new aviation bills currently awaiting the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The unions threatened that if their requests for withdrawal of the bills are not granted, they will proceed with industrial action in the next 14 days.
The coalition is made up of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and Amalgamated Unions of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).
The union called the bill a subtle attempt to restrain the powers of unions and obliterate unionism in the aviation sector.
“Its attempt to enable the minister of aviation to usurp the powers of the minister of labour is diabolically disingenuous. And its bold assault on the rights of trade unions and hapless workers renders the intended law a demonstration of an ultimate disservice by public officers. Therefore, the intended laws must be prevented from breathing any air of acceptance.”
The coalition demanded that the leadership of the Senate and House Committees on Aviation withdraw the bills and expunge the contentious clauses before approval by Mr President.
The unions requested that persons behind the clauses must be exposed and punished, adding that obnoxious clauses are in conflict with prevailing national and international laws (as ratified by Nigeria) and have no place in the aviation sector.