The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has urged unions in the aviation industry to reconsider their stance on the planned industrial action.
In a statement on Saturday, APFFLON National President,Frank Ogunojemite, charged the unions to save the already distressed economy from further crisis by suspending the strike.
The unions had threatened to embark on a warning strike over the non-release of the reviewed Condition of Service negotiated over seven years ago with four aviation agencies.
The unions included the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees.
Other issues included the non-implementation of minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency since 2019 as well as the planned demolition of agency buildings in Lagos for an airport city project by the Minister of Aviation.
In his reaction, Ogunojemite urged the union to reconsider its stance on the planned industrial action.
He lamented the dwindling economy as well as the hardships being faced by the populace due to leadership failure.
The APFFLON boss who decried the high level of negligence begged the union to exercise more patience since the present administration would soon leave office.
Ogunojemite added, “The planned industrial action by the unions is well within their rights and in my opinion, these demands should be attended to. It is indeed worrisome that the unions on February 7, 2023, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Minister of Aviation and other aviation parastatals over the same demands, and up until now, they are yet to be attended to. I think it is very annoying and no one can blame them for taking any action to drive home their demands”.
“Nevertheless, l know that the leadership of the unions and their members are all patriotic Nigerians as well as critical stakeholders in the aviation industry, they all know what the country is currently passing through. It is distressed already and people are passing through a lot”.
Ogunojemite expressed hope that the incoming administration would address the critical industry issues.
“Once again, l call upon the leaders to shelve the planned industrial action for a little while as we hope and expect better days ahead by the grace of God Almighty”, he stated.
