Air Peace Picketing Suspended After Minister Intervention

You know Air Peace as Nigeria's largest airline. Today, the airline's operations were disrupted due to a three-day strike notice by labour unions. The unions, which include the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), had given the airline and others notice to remit the five per cent Tickert Sales Charge, TSC. The unions claimed the airline and others were allegedly failing to remit this charge.

And just like that, Air Peace and others found themselves in the midst of a labour dispute. The unions stopped Air Peace's operations as part of their efforts to compel the airline to remit outstanding TSC payments and allow its staff unionise.

According to reports, several passengers were left stranded at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja. Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, and Enugu Air were the airlines affected.

The Minister intervened, so we are having a meeting with him in Abuja on Thursday.

  • Frances Akinjole, General Secretary, ATSSAN

And so, a meeting has been scheduled for Thursday between the unions and Minister Festus Keyamo. The Minister's intervention has led to the suspension of the picketing.

Frances Akinjole, the General Secretary of ATSSAN, confirmed that the unions have suspended the picketing. This is due to Minister Keyamo's intervention and the scheduled meeting on Thursday.

The unions had issued a three-day strike notice. But now, they will meet with Minister Festus Keyamo before taking any further action.

Air Peace and others have been accused of allegedly failing to remit the five per cent Tickert Sales Charge, TSC.

A report indicates that several passengers were stranded at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja due to the disruption.

Key Facts

  • The strike notice was issued by ATSSAN and NUATE on August 7.
  • The meeting between the unions and Minister Keyamo is scheduled for Thursday.
  • Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, and Enugu Air were affected.
  • The disruption left several passengers stranded at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja.

No Details on Airline's Unionisation Plans

While Minister Festus Keyamo's intervention has led to the suspension of the picketing, the unions have not revealed any details about their planned unionisation of Air Peace staff.

However, with the suspension of the picketing, it appears that the unions are willing to engage in further talks with the airline. But what this means for Air Peace's staff unionisation plans remains unclear.