Showdown: Aviation Unions Ready To Battle Caverton Helicopters Over Sack Of 150 Workers

SAN FRANCISCO, November 20, (THEWILL) – Aviation unions under the aegis of National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) are fighting leading rotary wing operator Caverton Helicopters over the sack of no fewer than 150 workers.

THEWILL gathered that unions have vowed to ground operations of the company for alleged infractions on the terms of disengagement of its workers.

NUATE accused the management of the company of gross insensitivity to the feelings of its employees demanding the company should return to the negotiation table with the affected staff. Dated November 3, 2016, with reference number: NUATE.GS/MD.CAVERTON/ENP/007-16 , the letter was signed by Comrade Olayinka Abioye, General Secretary of the union.

Leader of the group, Bola Yusuf, in a petition on behalf of the concerned group of NAAPE, alleged that Caverton does not apply principles of justice and fairness in the manner it treats pilots and engineers.

“Salaries are delayed for several months, the conditions of service as signed by the union and management is not respected due to its take it or leave it,” he said.#

“Caverton deducts pensions and taxes from staff without remitting same to the pension fund and government, despite deductions shown on pay slips.

“The stress being experienced right now by the Nigerian pilots and engineers is capable of causing a catastrophic disaster, the scale of which cannot be predicted at this time.

“The situation should not be overlooked by stake holders of aviation in Nigeria.”

Story by Oputah David