National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), on Friday, called for improved performance from various players in the aviation sector this year.
The General Secretary of the union, Olayinka Abioye, made the call in Lagos, where he noted that the aviation industry, in the previous year, recorded zero accident flight operations, adding that such positive results should be replicated in 2018.
He urged employers of labour in the industry to partner with the union by having and engaging in collective bargaining as provided by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and local laws.
According to him, the union would like to see a situation where employers in the industry would respect trade unions’ decision, in the interest of employees, and allow unions to partner with them.
Abioye said that this would improve productivity and safety, because a disgruntled worker was an accident waiting to happen.
The union scribe also advised the Federal Government to review the frequencies being allocated to the foreign airlines into the country.
He noted that the frequencies to the foreign airlines were hindering the progress of the local airlines.
Abioye also advised domestic airlines to consider going into merger and code sharing arrangement, in order to reduce their operating cost.
“We will also like to see government advising the local airlines that are not doing badly to go into mergers and acquisitions.
“They must support themselves in the areas of skill sharing, maintenance and spares, and then compete at the level of commercial, ticket sales.
“This is not to forget that the re-establishment of a national carrier should also be on their topmost agenda,” he said.
Abioye said the industry players must not rest on their oars in ensuring regulatory standards are met in accordance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.
