Operations of Arik Air, one of Nigeria’s carriers have been grounded by the National Union of Air Transport Employees over poor working conditions.
The workers on Thursday blocked the entrance of the airline’s headquarters in Lagos, the country’s commercial capital in the South West, carrying placards with different inscriptions.
Some of the inscriptions read, “End Arik brutality”, and “Sign our condition of service and recall all staff.”
They alleged that several members of staff had been furloughed, and that pensions were being owed.
The Lagos state Secretary of NUATE, Ijeh Anthony, said the issue had lingered for long, vowing to continue the strike till all demands are met.
He said, “The contentious issue is the signing of the Conditions of Service which we have been negotiating for the past three years.
Read also: Unions Shut Down Nigeria’s Arik Air Operations Over Anti-Labour Practices
“But the only aspect remaining in the CoS is the issue of the severance package. We have sought interventions from the Ministry of Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
“However, in most discussions, Arik Air Management will always renege.”
At the Murtala Muhmmed Airport 2 terminal, several passengers booked for 8 am flights were stranded.
Some of the passengers were distraught after waiting for several hours.
Officials from the airline were seen trying to manage the situation.
