Aviation workers move to picket airlines
FLIGHT operations in Nigeria may experience significant disruptions as aviation workers plan to confront domestic airlines over the non-remittance of the statutory five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC).
The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) intend to picket airlines that have failed to remit TSC collected from passengers. This decision follows a 14-day ultimatum and a subsequent seven-day extension.
The TSC funds crucial aviation agencies, such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and others, and the unions allege that the withholding of these funds undermines aviation safety and operational resources.
“It has become crystal clear that these airlines that collected this money from the passengers on behalf of the aviation agencies have decided to siphon the fund to the detriment of our collective safety and well-being,” the unions said.
They labelled the affected airlines as “unfit to remain in our sky” and warned of an immediate operational halt at airports. However, the Airline Operators of Nigeria ((AON) countered, asserting that the unions are not part of the airlines’ commercial engagements with the NCAA.
In a statement, AON stated that it was obligated to respond due to mounting concerns from passengers requesting information on whether flights will be impacted. The association explained that it had no transactional connection with the unions about the Ticket Sales Charge and claimed that the workers had been deceived.
“We have direct engagement channels with the NCAA on anything pertaining to our relationship and issues as the industry regulator, as it is the industry standard worldwide, and that engagement continues in good faith,” AON stated.
The airline operators highlighted severe financial pressures from high aviation fuel costs, foreign exchange volatility, and government charges, arguing that these conditions make the current environment unsuitable for any disruptive actions.
AON warned that any interference with airline operations or safety during the ongoing dispute would have consequences, urging the authorities to prevent unlawful disruptions. Additionally, airlines remain vigilant in anticipation of a potential strike by unions, which they view as meddlesome intruders.
“We are not saying we are not ready to pay and in fact we have discussed with the NCAA on how we are going to pay in instalment, so I don’t understand what the unions want to achieve. They should better face what concerns them,” one of the operators said.
A former NUATE General Secretary, Comrade Olayinka Abioye, stated that unions are justified in advocating for agencies affected by the airlines’ failure to pay the statutory TSC.
He said, “The unions are partners in progress with all employers. The livelihood of union members is at stake if their employers are unable to pay them what they are entitled to. Secondly, it is fraudulent for airline operators to collect the money on behalf of the agencies without paying them. As a union member, I have a right to challenge them. After the picketing, we will shut them (the airlines) down completely.”