By Lawani Mikairu

lagos—Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO Plc’s operations were yesterday temporarily grounded by its workers and unions in the Nigerian aviation industry over welfare issues. The workers led by their unions, staged a rally at the headquarters of the company for about three hours, which temporarily grounded activities at the company.

The workers accused the management of insensitivity to their welfare and unilaterally approving salary increment for them without carrying the unions who ought to be part of the negotiations along .

Speaking at the rally , the General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, Mr. Olayinka Abioye, said that what was approved for the workers as  increment was meagre  compared to their demands.

Mr. Tayo Ajakaye, the spokesman of NAHCO confirmed the rally, adding that the issues raised by the workers and the unions would be addressed by the management.

He further explained that the management would continue to negotiate with the unions and the workers to the benefit of all.

He explained that the workers demanded for 40 per cent salary increase, but the management after the approval from the Board of Directors approved between seven and 10 per cent without recourse to their unions.

According to Abioye: “Under the labour practice, the management and the unions ought to have  negotiated what would be the new take home of NAHCO staff, but, they didn’t do that. The management only called the in-house union to inform them that a certain percentage has been approved to them as salary increase.