By Abdul-hafeez Fadehan
The Workers Rights Campaign has backed the planned warning strike by aviation sector unions over the alleged suppression of workers’ right to unionise in the Nigerian aviation industry.
The campaign said the strike, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, was necessary to challenge what it described as the “brutal” violation of aviation workers’ right to join trade unions by the majority of domestic airlines.
In a Monday statement signed by its Deputy National Chairperson, Kelvin Ayemhenre, and National Secretary, Bàbá AYÉ, the WRC said of all airlines operating across Nigerian cities, only Arik Air and Aero Contractors have unions.
It said the presence of unions in the two airlines was achieved through “years of tenacious struggle.”
“This is the time to take on the bosses in the industry together as a whole. Their power cannot defeat that of the workers united,” the statement said.
The WRC urged the aviation sector unions to remain firm in their demands, saying the planned industrial action should mark the beginning of efforts to end what it described as union suppression in the sector.
The campaign also warned the Federal Government and stakeholders in the industry against attempting to “blackmail” the unions over the planned strike.
It said airlines should be held wholly responsible for any disruption arising from the action, accusing them of violating the constitutional right of aviation workers to belong to trade unions.
The group urged the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers not to relent until their demands are met.
“We urge NUATE, ATSSSAN, NAAPE not to relent until victory. This warning strike must mark the beginning of the end of union suppression in Nigerian aviation,” it said.
The WRC also urged the unions to “give no quarter in shutting down the sector” as they push for the recognition and protection of workers’ right to organise.
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