Following their resolve to embark on a total industrial action scheduled to begin on Monday April 20, 2015, Air Traffic Controllers across the country Thursday Morning proceeded on a six hours warning strike, calling on the management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, to address the issue of epileptic air navigation equipment as well as issues relating to its staff welfare raised last year.
DAILY POST has gathered that following the warning strike, passengers at different airports across the country are panicking even as they have been assured that there is no cause for alarm. A fan official who spoke with DAILY POST but pleaded anonymous said some passengers have rescheduled their local flight to evening or tomorrow just to be sure the strike is called off before they take off. ” He said, this has nothing to do with air safety. They shouldn’t panic as the strike won’t affect them directly.
Report however has it that due to contingency plan earlier put in place by NAMA, flights are not currently being disrupted at airports nationwide as NAMA is using the Nigerian Air Force personnel as traffic controllers pending when the warning the strike is suspended.
The Nation reports that an official of NAMA has confirmed that discussions are underway with members of the National Association of Air Traffic Controllers (NATCA), on how to resolve the issues affecting their welfare and working equipment.
According to the official, the MD of NAMA, Engineer Ibrahim Abdulsalam has consequently rushed to Abuja to meet relevant ministry officials on how to address the issue.
He said latest, by Friday, the matter would have been addressed so the aggrieved workers can go to work.
In statement issued on Thursday through its national president, Comrade Victor Eyaru, , NATCA said:” It is against the background of no action plan and political will to implement the agreements earlier reached with our association and others that has necessitated this corresponding action by air traffic controllers in Nigeria.
‘’Today’s action will last six hours only as a warning sign but in preparation for a major and total industrial action which shall commence on Monday April 20, 2015, if relevant government bodies continue to threat air traffic controllers issues with utmost levy or neglect.
‘’Tempers are high, but industrial peace and harmony must be the concern of everybody.”
Komentar