Responding to Turkish Airlines’ claims of sacking 7 Nigerian staff, NUATE asserts the $600000 ticket racketeering accusations are lies. NUATE also described as lies the allegations that the Union picketed despite an interlocutory injunction.
The union, in a letter signed by Ocheme Aba, its General Secretary, claimed the dismissals are the airline’s union elimination effort.
“In April 2023, Turkish Airlines’ headquarters issued a circular restricting ticket sales to two premium classes due to foreign exchange constraints in Nigeria.”
However, the airline advertised lower fares online, leading passengers who couldn’t pay online to approach Nigerian offices. Unable to attend to these customers due to sales restrictions, staff faced riotous scenes,” NUATE narrated.
“To manage the situation, the sales manager instructed staff to use the PNR obtained online to process tickets. All monies from ticket sales were received and accounted for, with daily sales reports submitted to headquarters. No money is missing, and no staff had any pecuniary benefit from these sales,” NUATE explained on the $600000 ticket racketeering accusations.
“The dismissal of Nigerian staff while promoting the Turkish Sales Manager and not holding ICT accountable highlights discrimination. The airline also falsely claimed that NUATE agreed with management’s findings during disciplinary hearings.
“The hearings were unfair and biased, led by the same person who issued the queries and decided on the dismissals.”
NUATE alleged that the General Manager has used threats, intimidation, and blackmail to create a toxic workplace since May 2023.
“He imposed unfair debit notes, locked workers out of their systems, withheld bonuses, and made derogatory remarks, affecting staff well-being.”
“Despite Turkish Airlines’ claim that NUATE disrupted operations against a court order, the NLC, not NUATE, called for the picketing.”
“The airline’s ongoing effort to eliminate the union started in 2020 with the dismissal of the Union’s Branch Executive Council members.” This issue remains unresolved,” NUATE claimed.
“Mr. Lokman Balkan, the General Manager of Turkish Airlines in Lagos, has shown total disdain for Nigerians and their laws. His unethical behavior poses a danger to the airline business in Nigeria. NUATE has declared him persona non grata and will instruct aviation workers not to handle him at any Nigerian airport, except for his exit from Nigeria,” NUATE asserted.
In conclusion, NUATE assures Mr. Lokman Balkan that his mission to eradicate the union will fail. Instead, he will likely leave the airline, not the hardworking Nigerian staff. We assure the public and aviation stakeholders that we’ll pursue our justified position without harming other aviation businesses.
