Two Aviation unions on Monday morning embarked on strike, grounding operations of Arik Air.
Many travellers were stranded at airports across the country.
Ticket counters of the airline at the domestic wings of the General Aviation Terminals One and Two, Lagos, were shut to customers.
Staff of the airline and executives of the National Union of Air Transport Employees NUATE, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, protested in front of the GAT One terminal and later proceeded to the headquarters of the airline where they blocked the entrance gate.
Modern slavery in Arik Air LTD, We say No to slavery, Every workers have rights to working conditions which respects his safety, health and dignity, were some inscriptions on their placards.
The action led to a gridlock on the road leading in and out of the airport.
Secretary General, NUATE, Comrade Ocheme Aba said they were protesting the ill-treatment of their members during the COVID-19 lockdown.
“Management of Arik air in a circular informed the staff that only 20 percent would be needed during the lockdown with salary payments of 20 percent to those who would be at home and 50 percent to those on duty unfortunately till date they were yet to be paid”, he said.
The condition of service for staff has been a lingering issue which the Arik air management.
“Workers have no conditions of Service at all not, even a review”, he said
Arik Air Management in a letter over the weekend addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment and copied the Aviation ministry, as well as the Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA, called for quick intervention to avoid a shut down of its operations.
DG NCAA has scheduled a meeting tomorrow, Tuesday.
RN
