The labour crisis rocking Nigeria’s second largest airline, Aero Contractors, seems to have worsened, with the airline dismissing about a thousand striking workers, and the staff vowing that no plane will take off until they are re-employed and their demands are met.

Aero Contractors sacked the striking workers for allegedly violating a court injunction restraining them from embarking on strike, and the workers stormed the headquarters of the airline on Monday morning, saying they have the right to protest.

“Mrs. Seyi Emmanuel Oguntayo, I regretfully confirm that you are hereby dismissed from your employment with Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited as Assistant Accountant with immediate effect,” read one dismissal letter signed by Obaro Ibru, Aero Managing Director.
Aero Contractors had announced on Friday night that it was suspending flight operations indefinitely after it failed to reach an agreement with the striking workers.

“Following the strike action embarked upon by the staff of the company, the board and management have decided to suspend Aero’s operations until further notice,” Aero said in a three paragraph statement on Friday.

On Monday morning, Aero remained shut and workers sang and danced outside its offices while brandishing placards that read: “Aero management under siege, President Jonathan save us”; “Workers have rights to freely associate;” etc.

The striking workers are claiming that Aero Director, Human Resources and Corporate Services, Mrs. Tope Fagbemi, is to blame for the crisis.

According to them, she has advised the management to transfer 42 drivers from Aero Contractors to a third party company named Remloyd Tours and Car Hire Service. She is also accused of reducing the negotiated and approved salaries of pilots and engineers, including allowances of the cabin crews without recourse to their unions.

“As we speak, all these striking workers, about a thousand of them, have been sacked,” said Comrade Olayinka Olu Abioye, the Acting General Secretary of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN.

Abioye who participated in the protest, explained that staff work under excruciating conditions and they are now scared of being transferred to a third party company that may make life even harder for them.

He said workers are demanding the sack of Mrs. Tope Fagbemi and improved conditions of service, including immediate re-employment.

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2013/03/18/aero-sacks-striking-workers/