Workers Unions Divided over Aviation Minister

Aviation workers, under aegis of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Service Employees (AUPCTRE), have condemned their counterparts in the Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) over the alleged use of abusive words on the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah.

The AUPCTRE members said the attitude of ATSSSAN and NUATE negates the veritable trade union ethics in the “conduct of positive and mutually rewarding industrial relations practice,” accusing the union leaders of resorting to vilification of highly placed government official in their quest to upturn a decision government had taken, which they claimed was against their interest.

AUPCTRE was referring to the letter and press statement issued in a recently in Lagos by ATSSSAN and NUATE where the executives of the two were alleged to have attacked the person of the minister for directing the transfer of top official of ATSSSAN and recent appointments made in the sector.

In a letter addressed to ATSSSAN and NUATE executives and dated November 12, 2012, by B. C. Ibeawuchi for the General Secretary, AUPCTRE said that the two unions did not speak on behalf of all the workers in the industry.
“In the press statement referred to above, your two organisations claimed to be acting ‘on behalf of the leadership of the unions in the aviation industry…You would agree with us that your claim is untrue, unfair and most importantly incorrect.”

The body said that ATSSSAN and NUATE should have involved all unions in the sector rather than taken actions on behalf of everybody, including the workers they have alienated in their decisions and action.

“Issues raised in your press statement qualify to form the basis for all inclusive unions/management’s deliberation at the level of the minister. Our union and members non-involvement in your written statement under reference notwithstanding, may we state that expressions contained therein ‘do not represent and confirm with industrial relations best practices and therefore may not advance the interest and wellbeing of the employees and statutory agencies in the aviation industry,” the body said.

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