A leading Nigerian domestic carrier, Dana Air which flight operations were disrupted this morning by the an aviation union, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) said it has resumed operations.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to African Business Travel News (ABTN) by the spokesman of the airline, Mr. Kingsley Okwudili.
NAAPE had disrupted the airline’s flights operations over an allegation that the airline refused to allow the association to unionise the pilots and engineers on the pay roll of the carrier.
Three of airline’s flights to Abuja and Owerri respectively were affected the industrial action.
ABTN learnt that the airline’s 06.40 flight to Abuja; 07.02 and 07.20am flight to Owerri originating from Murtala Muhammed Domestic Airport (MMA2), Lagos were affected.
As a result of the picketing of the airline, passengers who had earlier purchased their tickets for the first three flights; 06.40 flight to Abuja, 07:02 and 07:20am flights to Owerri, were seen on the queue collecting their refunds from the carrier’s sales counters at the terminal.
The picketing created a long queue for other airlines operating at the terminal, as passengers were seen trying to buy their tickets from these airlines to get to their destinations.
While apologizing to the affected passengers, Dana Air however denied the allegation of casualisation level against it by the aviation union even as it stated that it has not denied any of its staff from engaging in unionism.
“We wish to apologize to our guests for the slight delays experienced today November 21, 2017, as result of the illegal disruption of our flight operations by the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE)
“We wish to also state clearly that reason given by the union for their illegal action this morning is entirely is entirely false, baseless and malicious as there is no such thing as ‘casualization’ of staff at Dana Air.
“We have also advised the union times without number, that we are a law abiding, and liberal corporate citizen and are not against their activities or the activities of our staff members in these unions. We also cannot foist unionism on our staffs. We understand what freedom of association means, and we expect the unions to know better,” the statement said.
Speaking with our correspondent, General Secretary of NAAPE, Abba Ocheme stated that the refusal of the airline to allow the pilots and engineers in the pay roll of the carrier necessitated the picketing.
Ocheme also alleged that at Dana Air , the pilots and engineers were not given condition of service , adding that as a result , the airline pay them what it deemed fit.
The NAAPE scribe, who said such is unacceptable to NAAPE, described the airline’s mode of engagement as slavery.
He recalled that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had earlier mediated in the meetings with the two organisations, where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by both NAAPE and Dana Air, wondering why the airline would renege on the agreement reached with the union in the presence of NCAA.
He added that part of the reasons the association decided to picket the airline is that it breached the agreement it signed with the union.
Some of the placards that were displayed by NAAPE members include: “No condition of service for staff at Dana Air”, Dana Indian must obey Nigerian laws” and “Dana Air second Slavery in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, policemen from the Airport Police command where seen at the terminal building providing security for both the union and the airline.
My dear friend, Biodun,
I wish to point out the following issues from your report on the Dana Air crisis:
1. NAAPE did not picket Dana Air. It was rather a full blown strike action – withdrawal of services of pilots and engineers. This was supported by withdrawal of supply of aviation fuel by NUPENG; a solidarity action by a fellow affiliate of United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC). These twin actions effectively prevented all Dana Air operations until the strike action was suspended by NAAPE later in the day after Dana Management met the two demands of NAAPE fully at a meeting called and mediated by the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command
2. I did not mention at any time that Dana reneged on an agreement entered into with NAAPE in the presence of NCAA. There is no such agreement. Rather, I said that Dana refused to cooperate with the mediation of the NCAA, as a result of which the Authority washed its hands off the matter.
3. I also did not say that Dana breached its agreement with the Union. I said instead that Dana refused to sign an agreement with the Union. It was Dana’s signing of the agreement that lead to the strike action being suspended.
4. The strike action by NAAPE was based on the fact that Dana refused to implement check-off dues deductions after its pilots and engineers signed into membership of NAAPE since March, 2017, and refusal to negotiate Conditions of Service. These two demands are backed by Labour Law and the Constitution
5. With respect to Dana’s press statement, I should inform that NAAPE never accused the Airline of casualization. and if the Airline insists that it did no wrong, how does it explain the agreement it signed before the strike was called off.
Please note as above and correct your report accordingly.
Ocheme Aba
General Secretary, NAAPE