President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the payment of the harmonised
rating allowances to Air Traffic Controllers in order to avert an industrial
action scheduled to begin today (Monday).
The airmen, under the aegis of the National Air Traffic Controllers
Association, had on Thursday embarked on a six-hour warning strike, which
halted domestic flight activities across the nation’s airports.
The news press had on Friday reported how hundreds of passengers were left stranded at
various airports across the country for the period that the strike lasted.
The association said the strike was to press home its demand for the
payment of the harmonised rating allowances to its members.
It, however, announced in a statement on Sunday that it had suspended
the planned strike scheduled to commence today based on an approval from the
President for the allowances to be paid.
The statement, which was signed by the Deputy President and General
Secretary, NATCA, Haruna Bassi and Banji Olawode, respectively, stated that all
services rendered by the air traffic controllers would not be halted as earlier
planned.
It stated, “NATCA embarked on a temporary withdrawal of service for six
hours on Thursday, April 16, 2016 to press home its demand and issued a follow
up statement to embark on a full-fledged withdrawal of services beginning from
00.00 hours of Monday, April 20, 2015.
“NATCA and the union, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association
of Nigeria, against the background of the brief from the union that the
President and Commander-in-Chief has approved the payment of the harmonised
rating allowances for the Nigerian air traffic controllers, hereby call off the
intended indefinite withdrawal of service.”
The association called on its members to continue to carry on their
duties at the airports, stressing that it would work with the Nigerian Airspace
Management Agency to ensure the safety of the country’s airspace.
It said, “We enjoin all our members to continue to render their
services in ensuring safe and secure airspace in Nigeria while we partner with
the NAMA management on the future growth of the agency.
“We want to thank the President; the ministers of Aviation, Labour and
Productivity; chairman and members of staff of the National Salaries, Income
and Wages Commission, and the management of NAMA for all their support and
understanding.
“To the teeming aviation stakeholders and passengers, we appreciate
your understanding and patience. We assure you of a better and secure
airspace.”
No comments:
Post a Comment