NAMA: Ministry stops deduction of workers check-off dues

Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has been directed to remit three months arrears check-off dues to the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), pending the registration of Nigerian Aviation Professionals Association (NAPA).

The three months check-off dues were set aside by the management of NAMA as check-off dues for NAPA.

But in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached at a conciliation meeting in Abuja between the Ministry of Labour, NAMA, NUATE and NAAPE, the agency was directed to put on hold the deduction to NAPA pending its registration and due process in opting out from any trade union were observed by relevant staff.

On the pending registration of NAPA, the meeting noted that approval for registration had been conveyed to NAPA promoters and the intention to register as trade union had been gazetted, adding that there were objections to the registration of NAPA by existing trade unions operating in the aviation sector, NAAPE, NUATE and ATSSSAN.

The parties were advised to ensure industrial peace and harmony in the sector while the meeting had been slated to hold February 2016, to deliberate on more issues.

Those who signed the MoU include Benjamin Okewu ATSSSAN, Saleh Ibrahim, NAMA, Olayinka Abioye NUATE, Abah Ocheme, NAAPE, Abdulrasaq Saidu, NAPA, Abubakar Tsafe, ministry of aviation, and CC Dike, Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The conciliation meeting was called based on the trade dispute declared by ATSSSAN and NUATE against the management of NAMA over an alleged recognition of an unregistered organisation, NAPA, by Ministry of Labour and Employment.