Arik Air Recalls Sacked Pilots

Arik Air has recalled several of its pilots who were fired last Tuesday.

This followed intervention by aviation stakeholders such as the National Association of Airline Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

Some of the airline’s pilots downed tools last Tuesday. They alleged that they had requested to meet with the company’s Receiver Manager, Mr. Kamilu Omokide, on several occasions to discuss their welfare and salary increase, but that their efforts had yielded no results.

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The pilots were fired immediately for their actions, and the airline’s management, through its communications manager, Adebanji Ola, revealed that they were fired for participating in what the airline described as an illegal strike over a demand for improved welfare.

According to the airline, the pilots downed tools without following established procedures and did not serve a strike notice in accordance with labour laws.

He stated that they did not submit any issue of dispute to NAAPE, their umbrella union, nor did they submit any statement of demands to the company’s management prior to downing tools.

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The airline also stated that there were no ongoing discussions between management and the pilots about any unresolved labour issues, and that their actions were spontaneous and callous.

According to reports, management previously told labour unions that issues concerning pilot welfare would be addressed next year, but some pilots wanted a definite timeline on when any increase would be implemented.

Mudi Muhammad, the chairman of NAAPE’s Arik Air chapter, confirmed on Friday that the issue had been resolved and that the sacked pilots had resumed work.

“When the dismissal occurred, we immediately began negotiations with the management with the assistance of critical stakeholders such as the current MD of Aero Contractors, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood, who is a former Arik employee.” In Arik, we are a family, and that is how we approached the situation.

“Our association was able to meet with management, and after fruitful negotiations, they agreed to recall the dismissed pilots, who are currently in the air as I speak with you.”

“We are grateful to the stakeholders who worked hard to ensure that the issue was resolved,” he said.

Galadima Abednego, the national president of NAAPE, also confirmed to Daily Sun that the pilots had been recalled and had resumed work.

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