NAHCO begins talks on salary raise

Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), whose staff staged a targeted walkout to raise their salaries on Friday, said a meeting was held involving management, regulators, unions, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria and the State Security Service to resolve the conflict.

NAHCO said in a statement on Wednesday that the industrial action by the workers of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association (ATSSSA) is also aimed at rejecting the apparent delay by the management of NAHCO to grant the demands of the aggrieved . staff.

The ground handling service company said the protest was in violation of “an interim injunction granted by the National Industrial Court on January 20, 2023.”

NUATE and ATSSSA last week issued a five-day notice that members will start a strike to force NAHCO to review salary increases.

Tensions flared on Monday morning when industrial action began, disrupting several local and international flights and leaving air passengers stranded.

NAHCO said in its latest statement that the protest prevented the company from providing services to clients, with scheduled flights unable to operate from stations in airports around the country.

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It highlights the resolutions that have been reached with stakeholders on issues including the termination of the lawsuit filed against the NUATE and ATTSSSAN unions at the National Industrial Court and the issuing of a counter offer to the Union’s request by the Management of NAHCO Plc before the close of business on Monday, January 23.

He added that he has started negotiations on salary increases, guarantees that all staff can return to work, and guarantees that there will be no casualties due to participation in the strike action.