Arik To Begin Strike August 17, Says NUATE |The Source

By Uche Mbah

The National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, has given August 17 as the day Arik staff are expected to commence a one week warning strike to drive home their demands. This is after the expiration of the ultimatum given by the aviation union to the airline.

Recall that the union had given Arik 15 days to recall all staff placed on leave without pay since COVID-19,  and improve conditions of service, or face industrial action. The Ultimatum, which started on July 21, 2020, expired on August 5, 2020.

In a circular addressed to all Arik staff, and signed by Ocheme Aba, NUATE Secretary, and Francis Akinjole, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, deputy secretary, and copied to the various security agencies manning the Airport including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and dated July 10,  NUATE said that the notice will remain in force “until otherwise directed by our union”.

“Subsequent to the failure of Arik Air management to address the issues raised in the fifteen-day Ultimatum, our unions issued to the airline since July 21, 202, and realizing that the window of the 15 days came to a close on Wednesday 5^th of August 2020, we are now left with no choice than to inform the management of Arik air that there is going to be a total withdrawal of services from the airline as from the next seven days.

“All staff of Arik are therefore notified that with effect from august 17, 2020, all workers should down tools and assemble at places designated by Union officials to be guided appropriately”, the circular read.

Arik’s problem started when, in the heat of the pandemic COVID-19, Nigeria shut down its airspace to both local and international flights. All the airlines sent most of their staff on strike, pending the opening of the airspace. Since its  opening, Airlines have been gasping for breath. No palliatives have been extended to them. Passenger patronage has been very low.

Both Airpeace and Bristol Airlines, penultimate week, sacked 70 and 100 Pilots and Engineers respectively. NAUTE is also up in arms against them.

Arik Air is under receivership by AMCON, which has been looking for buyers.