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| Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) members during the May 1st Workers’ Day |
MEMBERS of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) during the May 1st
Workers’ Day observed that the Nigerian aviation sub-sector is one
industry worse hit by the prevailing economic recession ravaging the
country.
National President of ATSSSAN, Comrade Ahmadu D. Ilitrus, on behalf
of the National Administrative Committee (NAC) made the observation
during his May Day speech at the Lagos Airport adding that the situation
is made worse by the perennial scarcity and high cost of Jet-A1 and
aircraft maintenance parameters.
According to the ATSSSAN leader, the situation is further aggravated
by some attendant mismanagement in the sector, including “ungodly
interventions of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON),
which prioritizes capitals over labour concerns in some aviation
undertakings, one of which is the present precarious situation our
members of the Aero Contractors Airlines are being faced with”.
Illitrus, while discussing the theme of this year’s May Day- “Labour
Relations in Economic Recession: An Appraisal”, further pointed out that
the unexplainable anti-labour posture of denying workers the right to
unionism by some private undertakings like; Dana Air; Medview Air;
Bi-Courtney; Execujet and Arik Air, contrary to section 40 of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and other
extant labour laws are also part of the problems of the sector.
The ATSSSAN leader further said that unconscionable and perpetual
casualization of aviation workers in the guise of out-sourcing, contract
staffing by some mean corporate organizations in the industry are part
of the problems
“Unsavory government policies which unduly interfere in the
administration of the agencies in the aviation sectors such as the
career invasion through imposition of managers from outside by the
ministry to the detriment of the principle of career progression
de-motivates and tend to dampen the morale of the toiling personnel are
also part of it”, Illitus said.
He further stated that the determination of the Federal government to
concession our four viable airports is not only a security risk to the
nation but also an economic terrorism, adding that “ATSSSAN will
maintains it no to concession which does no good to our members in
particular, and the nation in general”.
“In the context of the theme for this year May Day celebration –
Labour Relations in Economic Recession: An Appraisal, it is worrisome to
surmise that workers in the aviation industry, who are facing the
challenges of having to manage with excruciating working conditions,
inadequate operational tools, promotions, salaries, allowances
stagnation and incessant redundancy, especially in the private
organizations, are not even appreciated by their bosses.
ATSSSAN therefore, stated that the Union is ever determined to
continue to find solace in the spirit of their moto: “Dignity and
Safety” as regard their engagements with employers of the members.
Illitrus equally used the opportunity to appeal to their friends,
brothers and sisters who are yet to subscribe to unionism to consider
joining and belonging to the family of ATSSSAN and other responsible
aviation unions across the country.
“Today therefore serves as another opportunity to meet with other
brothers and sisters from our units, branches and other Unions; rub
minds together and activate strategies of emancipating our people from
the shackles of oppression, deprivation, want, poverty and sundry
socio-economic vices they have been exposed to in a land that is flowing
with milk and honey,” ATSSSAN boss said.
SOURCE:-nigerianflightdeck.com
