By Adelola Amihere
In a swift move over the proposed reduction of its May salaries by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has written to the management of the authority demanding full payment of its May salaries while also expressing its displeasure over the failure of the management to honour the agreement reached by both parties to constantly dialogue on issues of salaries.
An internal memo signed by the Authority’s General Manager, Administration, M.D. Musa dated May 19th, 2020 with reference FAAN/HQ/ADMIN/2020/05, and titled ‘Notice on payment of staff salary,’ was addressed to all employees of the firm, as it stressed that the measure was to ensure the survival of the organisation.
The memo read in parts, “This is to notify all staff that due to the dwindling revenue generation amidst COVID19 pandemic, management may not be able to pay full salary to staff from May 2020.
“However, as soon as the revenue generation improves, the balance will be paid. This measure is to ensure the survival of the organization”.
But NUATE on Wednesday in a letter signed by its chairman, Comrade Ocheme Aba and addressed to the Managing Director of the Authority, Captain Hamisu Yadudu decried the management decision describing it as “contrary to the understanding between Unions and the Management that there will be constant dialogue between the parties on the issue of payment of salaries during the period of the COVID -19”.
“We therefore disagree with your decision to pay 50 % of May salaries. We are willingly and ready to keep our side of the bargain by making ourselves available for dialogue over the issue at any time
“Meanwhile, we urge you to honour your obligation to your workers by ensuring full payment of May salaries it stated”, the letter stated
