The Nigerian aviation sector may experience mass flight disruptions in the coming days following a directive from aviation unions in the industry to its members to withdraw their services to Nigeria Aviation Handling Company PLC, NAHCO, one of the ground handling companies operating in the sector.
The Unions in a memo to its members jointly signed by National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), said they have been in negotiations with the management of NAHCO for an up review of the salaries of its member since June 2022, without any headway.
According to them, the strike action became necessary because previous ultimatum issued the groundling firm have gone unheeded to.
The Unions said: “As you are all aware, our Unions have been in negotiations with the management of NAHCO for the review of current salaries since June 2022 without any headway.
As all ultimatum issued by our Unions have gone unheeded, and the management continues to play on our intelligence through scheduling of purposeless meetings, we have come to the conclusion that the management is clearly decided against harkening to our cries for fairness and equity, despite overwhelming evidence in support of our demand.
In view of the above, NUATE and ATSSSAN have no choice than to take definite steps to press home our demands.
In the above regard, all staff of NAHCO are hereby directed to withdraw all services with effect from Monday 23rd January 2023. This action shall be indefinite until otherwise directed by the Secretary of the Unions”.
With the strike embarked by the unions, the sector is left with Skyway Aviation Handling Company, (SAHCO) PLC, as the only ground handling firm operating in the industry.
NAHCO aviance provides ground handing service to United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Air France/KLM, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airline.
Others are, Ethiopia Airlines, Kenya Airways, Rwand Air, ASKY, Air Maroc, Egypt Air, as well as Air Peace, Aero Contractors, Dana, Max Air and Azman.
