LABOUR MINISTRY, UNIONS & NAMA RECONCILIATORY COMMUNIQUE

 

Resolutions of the reconciliatory meeting between the Minister of Labour & Productivity, Emeka Wogu, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, other Trade Unions in the Aviation Sector and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency on Tuesday March 4, 2014 at the Minister’s Conference Room in Abuja.

In attendance at the meeting were: the Minister of Labour & Productivity, Emeka Wogu; the Supervising Minister of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Samuel Ortom; the Chairman of the National Salary, Income & Wages Commission, R. O. Egbule and representatives of the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Considering the looming industrial action in the Aviation Sector, the Minister of Labour & Productivity, Emeka Wogu apprehended a trade dispute between the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the four trade unions with jurisdiction in its establishment, namely:
i. Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN).
ii. National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).
iii. Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical,Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE).
iv. National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).
2. A conciliatory meeting was subsequently held with the parties over the following points in dispute:
i. Payment of accrued salary arrears due to employees in the last twelve months
ii. Non-implementation of Agreement on job related Hazard Allowance
iii. Refusal to initiate process for the review of the Staff Conditions of Service
3. During deliberations on these points, the meeting noted that:
i. The Communiqué issued at the end of the meeting held between the parties on August 7, 2013 remained relevant and a focal point for the issues in dispute.
ii. In accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of the Communiqué, the parties had agreed on a mode of payment of the arrears of the increment in salary.
iii. NAMA had paid the 13th month in 2013 as well as two (2) months out of the outstanding arrears.
iv. NAMA needed to receive an approval from the National Salaries, Incomes & Wages Commission (NSIWC) to enable it commence theimplementation of the Hazard Allowance.
v. NSIWC is now in receipt of the letter from NAMA through the Federal Ministry of Aviation clarifying that it (NAMA) is capable of paying the Hazard Allowance from its internally generated revenues and shall commence the process of approval.
vi. The trade unions had not submitted their charter of demands which is a prerequisite for collective bargaining.
vii. The trade unions showed concern over the non-harmonised salary structure existing in NAMA.
4. After due deliberations, the meeting resolved as follows:
i. That on the receipt of the awaited approval from the NSIWC, NAMA shall commence the payment of the Hazard Allowance immediately.
ii. NAMA shall pay one month arrears of salary increment next week and thereafter shall continue to liquidate the arrears owed to its staff based on a mode of installment payments to be agreed upon between the parties.
iii. The parties shall meet next week to work out the above stated modalities for payment of the arrears.
iv. On the harmonization of salaries, the Supervising Minister for Aviation shall convene a stakeholders’ meeting to consider and take decision(s) on the matter.
v. The trade unions should submit their charter of demands to NAMA before collective bargaining could commence within an agreed time-frame between the parties. Other relevant stakeholders may be involved.
5. Based on the above understandings, the trade unions shall not embark on any industrial action on the issues of this trade dispute to enable an amicable resolution of the grievances.

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Captain N. Tarnongu, Abdul Kareem Motajo
Dep.GS ATSSSAN GS, NUATE

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Com. Isidore E. Opara Ocheme Aba
Secretary Fed. Organ, AUPCTRE GS, NAAPE

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Mrs Anastasia Gbem A. A. Tsafe, Director (HR),
Legal Adviser, NAMA – Federal Ministry of Aviation

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Chike N. Ogbechie, Director NSIWC (Observer)

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Mrs. Chinedu C. Dike, Director TUSIR Department, FML&P.