Arik Begs As Workers Begin Strike, Today

The Management of Arik Air has asked for the intervention of the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, over the planned industrial action by aviation unions scheduled to commence, today.
The Chief Executive Officer of Arik, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, made the appeal in a letter written to the minister entitled, “Re-Unions in Arik Air threaten to down tools September 14th”, in Lagos, yesterday.
The aviation unions are the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).
The unions, had, last Thursday, threatened to call Arik Air workers out on a strike, today, over alleged non-payment of staff salaries since April after placing 90 per cent of the workforce on compulsory leave.
Ilegbodu appealed to the minister to intervene in seeking for the understanding and cooperation of the workers’ unions.
“We remain committed to protecting the airline, and assure our stakeholders of a safe and conducive working environment.
“We shall also protect the interest of the flying public for a safe, friendly and on time travelling experience,” he said.
Ilegbodu explained that he was worried that the threat of a strike was coming without an exhaustive use of the various channels of engagement, discussion, consensus, and understanding, which he described as faulty.
He added that the planned strike by the unions was unlikely to yield the best outcomes for staff, the company, and its faithful passengers.
The airline chief further described the action of the unions as an abuse of the position of union leadership.
Ilegbodu noted that the issues in dispute could not pass the test of fairness and only affected, in the short term, less than 20 staff out of a workforce of over 1,600.
He explained that prior to it going into Receivership; the employment letters basically detailed the approved emoluments of staff.
Ilegbodu said the only outstanding area of difference was the request by the unions for a terminal benefit scheme over and above the requirements of the Pension Act.
“They request for an independent retirement benefits scheme that will be wholly funded by the airline for retiring, resigning or terminated staff.
“This request will receive a lump-sum payment upon exit that will in some cases, double the joint contribution of management and staff under the Pension Act of 2004 as amended.