Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has vowed to resist the decision of the management of Aero Contractors Nigeria Limited to put the workers on unpaid leave.
The union in a letter dated 2nd August, signed by the Principal Deputy General Secretary, Frances Akinjole to the
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, ATSSSAN called for the retraction of the decision, which it said the management conveyed to the workers through internal communication.
“It has come to the knowledge of our union that Aero Contractors Nigeria Limited (in receivership) had, via its internal communication, unilaterally declared members of our unions to stay on leave without pay until its resumption of operations, even if this takes thy kingdom come.
“This development is more regrettable. considering the fact that our unions are still in discussion with Aero Management on the best ways to manage the critical situations of the company, which were not occasioned by the toiling workers.
This singular action has demonstrated the negative degree of value the company places on its human resource mix in its operation,” the letter read.
The Aero Contractor management had previously announced the suspension of its operation last month to undergo maintenance to enable it to put its fleet to proper operation.
The union noted that if it is true that the task of rescuing the company from its present decadence is a collective one, then Aero Management is strongly advised to desist from “this arrogance in its decision making.”
According to the union such decision was among what plugged the company into the present mess which management is now making the innocent workers’ pay for with their lives.
The letter read further, “At this juncture, is it not becoming clearer that Aero Management does not care a bit about what the reactions of the victimized workers could cause the various ongoing revitalization efforts!
“Our union is of genuine opinion that Management should retract the referenced potentially damaging internal communication in the interest of all. Our members shall not always remain the pawns in this game of chess.”