Workers plan joint action against NAMA, may go on strike

Unions lambast Mgt over non execution of COS agreement

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) appears unsettled as the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the Almagamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) have concluded plans to embark on industrial action that could paralyse the agency.

Already, the three labour unions had already sent a circular to all NAMA workers, asking them to attend a General Assembly at the Freedom Platform in NAMA headquarters on March 21, 2016 by 9 am. A decision to embark on industrial action could be taken following alleged failure of the management to implement workers’ condition of service that had already been approved by the Ministry of Transportation.

It would be recalled that resolutions were reached at the end of the tripartite meeting held at the instance of the Federal Ministry of Transportation. NAMA, NUATE, ATSSSAN and AUPCTRE on March 3 and 4^th, 2016.

The groups had declared 21-day ultimatum to commence industrial action against NAMA on March 7, 2016, if their demands which include, full implementation of the negotiated Conditions of Service (COS) and modalities for the payment of arrears due among others were not met.

As they were about to commence industrial action, the Federal Ministry of Transportation waded into the issue and convened a conciliatory meetings between the social parties with a view to reaching a workable resolution and to avert the imminent industrial action.

The officials of the Ministry held consultative meeting with both parties and the following resolutions were reached.

The unions agreed to suspend the 21-day ultimatum that expired on March 6, 2016. Also as part of the resolution, The Ministry of Transportation promised to hold an informal meeting with the officials of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) on the workability of the request before formal submission to the commission.

It was also agreed that thereafter, a meeting of all stakeholder (FMT, NAMA management and unions) shall be convened before the submission of the document to the NSIWC before the third week of April, 2016.

Management agreed to prioritise  issues of workers welfare, improve the channels of communication and information sharing with the workers’ representatives.

The unions were encouraged to show high sense of responsibility and understanding in their demands with management.

The unions in a letter to the Managing Director of NAMA, dated February 5, 2016 and jointly signed by Acting General Secretary of NUATE, Olayinka Olu Abioye, AUPCTRE General Secretary, M.A. Bello and Omotaje Olawale for ATSSSAN expressed utmost dismay and dissatisfaction at the ‘wicked insensitivity of your management to the welfare of staff and belligerent refusal to conclude for approval, the implementation of a new Conditions of Service of staff for NAMA inspite of concerted efforts in that regard.”

The unions stated that NAMA management had taken for granted the maturity and social responsibility that their members have been displaying to ensure that the agency continues to discharge its duties and responsibilities, meeting up with global aviation standards.

They accused the management on dithering on the full execution of the reviewed Conditions of Service which they noted lapsed since 2012.

They lamented that a review which ought to take place every two years, yet in 2006, management felt comfortable that several workers shall be left behind at the sordid social and economic conditions of 2012, when “every sane person knows the global economic downturn, high exchange rate and inflation has eaten deep into the take home pay of workers.”

Wole Shadare