Nigerian Flight Deck Travel and Business Reportage
- NCAA call for calm say Minister set to meet unions
ACTIVITIES around the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) were grounded to a halt following picketing of the regulatory agency by unions after the expiry of the seven (7) day ultimatum issued them over sundry issues.
The unions, National Union of Air a Transport Employee ( NUATE), Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria ( ATSSSAN), Association of Nigerian Aviation professionals ( ANAP) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and engineers ( NAAPE) had issued a no stay of action late last night.
The strike was brought about by a demand of the Union for the Ministry to review the recently approved organogram of the agency that collapsed some departments and directorates among other demands.
The Unions are also seeking approval of the new Condition of Service (COS) and inauguration of Boards for the Authority
As early as 6:30 am Wednesday morning, the union’s had already laid siege to the headquarters of the NCAA chanting solidarity songs and barring vehicular and passenger movement, claiming that the Federal Ministry of Transportation ( Aviation) was feigning ignorance of their demands and neglecting the ultimatum.
However, a letter made available to Nigerianflightdeck signed by the Director Human Resources of the NCAA, Sanusi A.A indicated that there was supposed to be parley today, the 22nd of May by 2pm.
Similarly, the letter with reference NCAA/DHR&A/03/399/75 dated 21st of May further reminded the unions of a meeting with the National Salaries Income Wages Commission, letters the unions said were hastily put together to stall their picketing.
Meanwhile, in a statement signed by GM Public Relations NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, the Minister of State (Aviation), Senator Hadi Sirika has invited the Aviation Unions to a meeting today to address all issues raised by the workers.
Aviation Unions are presently on strike thereby disrupting services at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s offices however, the statement expressed that the issues in contention are however not within the jurisdiction of NCAA management.
“Therefore , the Regulatory Authority will work with the supervising ministry to ensure that all issues are properly addressed to the satisfaction of all parties.
“The Authority has absolute confidence that the meeting between the Honourable Minister and the Unions will provide amicable resolution.
“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) hereby appeal to all aviation stakeholders who are not able to access services at our offices today to remain calm as normalcy will soon be restored, ” the statement concluded
