Workers Rights Campaign welcomes the warning strike of aviation sector unions starting tomorrow. For years the right of workers in the sector to join trade unions has been brutally violated by the vast majority of domestic airlines.
Indeed, of all the airlines operating across Nigerian cities, it is only in two – Arik Air & Aero Contractors – that there are unions. Even these was wọn with 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. We urge the aviation sector union to give no quarter in shutting down the sector.
The Federal Government and stakeholders in the industry must not try to blackmail the unions. The airlines should be held wholly responsible, including for violating the constitutional right of aviation workers to belong to trade unions.
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.
Kelvin AYEMHENRE
Deputy Chairperson, WRC
Bàbá AYÉ
Secretary, WRC
