•As NCAA brokers peace with labour union
By Chinelo Obogo
Turkish Airline has responded to allegations made by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) regarding the dismissal of seven Nigerian employees, stating that the union’s claims were unfounded, adding that the airline has suffered significant revenue losses as a result of the union’s actions.
According to a statement released by the airline, the employees were dismissed due to various ticketing reservation violations, which caused the airline a loss of over $600,000. The airline further claimed that the union was involved in the disciplinary process and that the employees were found to be liable for gross misconduct. It stated that three of the seven employees opted to voluntarily resign, while the remaining four declined to do so, adding that, the union, however, threatened to paralyze the airline’s operations in Nigeria by way of industrial action if the employees are not reinstated.
The airline added that it instituted proceedings at the National Industrial Court to determine the legality of the union’s actions but despite this, the union proceeded to execute their threats to picket and barricade the airline’s check-in stations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for over two hours, thus preventing passengers from boarding.
Explaining further, the airline said the court subsequently issued formal notices of injunction restraining the union from conducting any industrial action that disrupts the airline’s business. It expressed intolerance for the union’s actions, which it claims have caused serious financial losses and has vowed to exercise all its legal rights regarding the matter.
“Despite the clear and undisputable evidence of wrongdoing, the union has continuously threatened to paralyse the airline’s operations in Nigeria by way of industrial action if the employees are not reinstated. After the institution of this suit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) and after service had been effected on the union on February 9, 2024 and while motions for injunction were pending before the Court, NUATE proceeded to execute their threats to picket.
The airline has expressed its commitment to the interests of its passengers and employees, stating that it has always encouraged its employees to join any union of their choosing and has sought to work harmoniously with all governmental and non-governmental bodies in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), early Thursday morning, brokered peace between NUATE and the Turkish Airlines, which will allow it airlift its Nigerian passengers who have been stranded at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos following the picketing of the airline by NUATE on Tuesday.
Following the NCAA’s intervention, NUATE has temporarily agreed to shelve further interruption of the airline’s operations in Lagos and Abuja to allow the airlift of stranded passengers both inbound and outbound from across the world. The agreement was reached after a meeting with the representative of the Acting Director General Civil Aviation, Mr. Michael Achimugu who is also the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA.
Achimugu had on Wednesday evening, after meeting with the country manager of the airline in Nigeria, promised to meet with the union on Thursday to resolve the impasse. The meeting had representatives of NUATE led by its General Secretary, Ocheme Aba and the Lagos Regional Manager of NCAA, Bukola Teriba.