Aviation Unions insist on, No full salary, no flight resumption

Aviation unions in the country have again warned that aviation workers will not resume work on the 21st June when operations are expected to begin, two aviation union leaders said there was no going back in their position in a letter to the President Buhari few weeks ago.

The Secretary of Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) Comrade Abdulrasaq Saidu aviation workers were in great need of palliative stressing that the Presidential Task Force on COVID 19 with the aviation minister as a member ought to know that aviation was in dire need of palliative than any other sector.

Saidu explained that the sound mind was capable of working at the airport especially pilots and engineers that work at airlines.

“Palliative is very necessary for aviation workers to go back to operation. We are not happy that the PTF has not deemed it fit to earmark money for aviation. Aviation workers salaries must be paid by the government, whether they borrow to pay I don’t care”

The aviation minister is part of the COVID 19 task force and he should be able to represent the sector in terms of financial assistance to workers in the industry.

Also reacting to the flight resumption, the general secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) Comrade Ocheme Abah said there was no going back on their letter to the President Buhari.

He said the unions are serious over their letter adding that the aviation industry is sensitive to be at the centre of controversy.

Abah explained that ordinarily the normal salary can not take home workers and they were considering paying half salaries at these difficult times.

He advised the government to ensure that the issue of salary payment was addressed before resumption of flight operations as no worker will come to work with the payment of half salary