Union grounds Kenya Airways operations

Aviation workers under the aegis of the National Union of Air Transport Employees yesterday grounded the operations of Kenya Airways at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The union made good its threat to picket the airline over poor treatment of Nigerians working for them following breakdown of negotiations.

The union had demanded for incremental welfare programme for its members which the airline has allegedly failed to implement.

The picketing was earlier scheduled for last Tuesday but it was shelved following the intervention of Commissioner of Police Airport Command, Mr. Besam Gwana.

The union gave fresh 48-hour ultimatum which elapsed on Friday, prompting the action of today.

Members of the Union stormed the counters of the airline at the MMIA yesterday morning, preventing the airline from carrying out the day’s flight operations. The Union also hoisted its flags at the Kenya Airways check-in counters at the departure hall of the airport.

The General Secretary of NUATE, Comrade Olayinka Abioye said Kenya Airways management failed to own up to the promises agreed during several dialogues to resolve the lingering issues bordering on welfare of Nigerians working with the airline.

He said after due diligence with the Management in consonance with the International Labour Organization (ILO) collective bargaining principle, the union resorted to the action.

Kenyan Airways in a statement released from Nairobi, Kenya, said the financial demands by the union were unsustainable.

“Kenya Airways wishes to announce that it expects disruptions due to industrial action at its Lagos station. This action has stemmed from disagreements related to unsustainable financial demands in the Collective Bargaining Agreement,” the statement said.