- Arik Resumes Operations as dialogue Continues With Unions
After 24 hours shutdown, Arik Air yesterday resumed scheduled flight services on several routes across the country. The development was on the heels of a late Thursday’s meeting and resolutions between the airlines’ management and aggrieved workers unions that had forced a shutdown two days ago.
The the meeting brokered by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), was able to get a consensus that all parties concerned should return to dialogue as the best means of resolving the differences.
Spokesperson of the NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, yesterday said it was obvious to all parties that the picketing was not in the best interest of anyone and the issues at stake could be resolved amicably.
Adurogboye added that in the end, the unions agreed to sheath their sword and allow Arik operations to continue.It would be recalled that aviation workers, under the aegis of National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Association of Aircraft Pilot and Engineers (NAAPE), picketed Arik Air in protest of the airlines’ failure to recall sacked union members in the organisation, pay outstanding salary and other welfare issues.
The issues listed dates back to the former Arik management before the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took charge if its operations.Media Consultant to the new management, Simon Tumba, yesterday confirmed that operations had once again returned to normal on all routes.
The management equally apologise to its customers for the disruption of services yet again, after similar exercise last December.Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, said: “We sincerely apologise to our customers for the disruption of our operations today caused by the picketing of our services. Meanwhile the airline has reactivated its online platform for customers to book and pay online through all its networks.