Unions, workers picket Landover Company

Landover Aviation company was today picketed by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) yesterday over alleged anti-labour practices by the firm.

 The union took over the premises of the firm as helicopter workers engaged by the company who came from Warri, Delta State also joined in the protest.

They were protesting against non-remittance of taxes, anti-labour practices and unjust sack of their members by the management.

The workers also alleged that their taxes deducted for almost 15 years were not remitted to the appropriate places while Cumulative Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the workers are constantly violated by the management.

The workers had stormed the airline’s headquarters in Lagos as early as 4 am to barricade entrance for workers and carried different placards to press home their demands.

They  also accused the management of  sacking of workers without agreed severance packages while anyone that reaches the ages of 45-50 are dismissed from service, which they described as against the labour law of the country.

However, in a bid to protect its assets and properties, the management invited police officers to ensure peace and tranquility, which didn’t deter the workers from continuing with their protest.

Some of the placards carried by the workers include: ‘No to delay of salaries payments,’ ‘Remit our pension,’ No to Anti-Labour Practices,’ ’15 years no gratuity or pay-off,’ ‘Enough of wrongful dismissal’ and ‘No proof of tax payment’ among several others. The protesting workers and union were over 70 in numbers.

The workers accused the management of non-remittance of taxes and cooperative funds despite the deductions of such at source by the management, adding that on several occasions, it had reneged on its Conditions of Service as spelt out in their letters of employment.

Speaking on behalf of the workers, the President of ATSSSAN, Mr. Ahmadu Ilitrus, accused the management of the airline of intentionally reneging on its agreed terms with the workers without recourse to the law of the land.

He insisted that the protest was avoidable if the management had implemented the Condition of Service and Cumulative Bargain Agreement (CBA) it entered with the workers, but regretted that the management intentionally foot-dragged on the issue.

He also mentioned that for instance, the management kicked against unions’ representation in the disciplinary committee if any of its member is being punished, saying that this negated all aspects of labour law in the country.

He added: “The last time we met here, we adjourned the meeting and we were shocked when we returned in the morning that the meeting could not go on because Landover has referred the matter to the Federal Ministry of Labour and we were at labour, but when they discovered that all the issues they were foot dragging on, these are non-issues, they opted out again.

“If you serve up to 15 years in Landover, you are not entitled to more than N340,000 no matter your position. This is unfortunate and unacceptable for us. The only way forward is for the management to come out from their high horse and come down and discuss with us.”

Besides, one of the protesting staff who identified himself as Ibrahim Justuce, accused the management of enslaving the workers through different crooked means.

He alleged that workers’ taxes of over 10 years were not remitted to the tax offices, adding that whenever they demanded for tax clearance, the management had always dilly-dally on the issue.

“One of our members was sacked in this company for no just reason by the management and he has served here for 15 years and three months, he was paid only N340,000 as all his entitlements and benefits. We disagreed with this because this is not what is in our CBA. The document is very clear on what should be paid to workers that are disengaged. There should even be redundancy package for the person.

“Also, our taxes are not remitted to the appropriate quarters by the management and the term ‘corruption’ in the condition of service should be spelt out in the CBA. For almost two years now. The company took us to the ministry of Labour, but when it discovered that it was losing grounds, it opted out. Also, the retirement period in this company is 45-50 years, which is even against the labour law.”