The management of Bristow Helicopters has accused the leadership of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) of abandoning negotiations and 2019 agreement, but preferred to embark on an “illegal and unwarranted” strike in order to press home their demands.
This is as the union on Monday commenced indefinite strike of the helicopter company and paralysed its business activities in all stations especially at the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
A statement by the management of the helicopter company and made available to our correspondent, insisted that the picketing of the company was contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian labour laws and practices.
It insisted that it was willing to continue dialogue with NAAPE, but the union abandoned negotiations to embark on an unapproved strike.
The statement explained that Bristow proposed to put a “pause” on the pilots and engineers Conditions of Service (CoS) negotiations as a result of the recent global outbreak of COVID-19, the plummeting of global oil prices and the mandatory 22 per cent of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cuts to Nigeria’s crude oil production.
All these, it said, had a significant impact on its business and capacity utilisation in Nigeria.
The company hinted further that despite the economic challenges in the aviation industry since the spread of COVID-19, its pilots and engineers had not suffered any reduction or change in their salaries, at a time when its operations nosedived by 50 per cent.
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It added: “In the 2019 agreement, the parties agreed the relevant exchange rate at which the salaries of Bristow pilots and engineers would be calculated.
“In the agreement, both parties agreed on NGN345/$1 (at a time when the CBN exchange rate was NGN306/$1) with a provision for adjustment if the NAFEX rate moves in either direction by 20% or more.
“Currently, the NAFEX rate has not reached the agreed threshold. Bristow has fully complied with the provisions of the agreement with NAAPE. By its demand, NAAPE is seeking to act contrary to the legally binding agreement it signed voluntarily.
“In the signed 2019 agreement, Bristow committed to full sponsorship of up to four Senior First Officers (SFOs) within a financial year for their Air Transport Private License (ATPL) course, dependent upon operational requirements and the prevailing market realities. Three individuals were identified, and the process of training commenced. Unfortunately, and through no fault of Bristow, the selected individuals were unable to obtain the necessary travel and study visas.”
Bristow insisted that it complied with all relevant laws and procedures and the exit of any employees was in accordance with such laws and procedures, adding that the majority of the company’s pilots and engineers were Nigerian nationals, contrary to the claim of NAAPE.
“In conclusion, the allegations raised by NAAPE are rejected in their entirety. The company notes that most of the issues being advanced by NAAPE are contrary to the provisions of the 2019 Agreement and the company will request that NAAPE complies with the terms of that agreement,” it said.
