The Management of Arik Air has pleaded with Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation to intervene in the workers planned strike which is to commence on Monday.
The unions, on Thursday, threatened to call Arik Air workers out on a strike on Monday, over alleged non-payment of staff salaries since April after placing 90 per cent of the workforce on compulsory leave.
The appeal was released in a letter titled “Re-Unions in Arik Air threaten to down tools September 14th” in Lagos on Sunday by Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, The Chief Executive Officer of Arik.
He said:
“We remain committed to protecting the airline and assure our stakeholders of a safe and conducive working environment.
“We shall also protect the interest of the flying public for a safe, friendly and on time travelling experience,”
He added that the planned strike by the unions was unlikely to yield the best outcomes for staff, the company, and its faithful passengers.
“They request for an independent retirement benefits scheme that will be wholly funded by the airline for retiring, resigning or terminated staff.
“This request will receive a lump-sum payment upon exit that will in some cases, double the joint contribution of management and staff under the Pension Act of 2004 as amended.
“While it is the right of staff to share in the prosperity of a company, the request for an additional retirement scheme from a loss-making company, in receivership and whose operations are supported by creditors over and above legal requirements is simply onerous.
“Given the cost-driven challenges in the aviation sector that have seen majority of airlines fold up in the past years, the request by the unions will set an unsustainable standard for other airlines that are struggling to survive in these difficult times,”
