Air Traffic Controllers give NAMA 21 days ultimatum over remuneration, allowances

Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to pay its members all outstanding, unresolved remuneration and professional allowances, failing which it would embark on industrial action against the agency.

ATCs are professionals in the aviation industry trained to direct aircraft and enforce traffic separation rules to prevent aircraft collision.

They  air traffic controllers are people trained to maintain the safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic.

The group gave the ultimatum in a communiqué jointly signed by the President of NATCA, Victor Eyaru and General Secretary, Banji Olawode made available to journalists at the end of its 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM)and conference  in Kano State at the weekend.

In the communique, NATCA further demanded that all outstanding, unresolved and pending issues regarding ATCs’ remuneration, professional allowances, promotion and advancement in NAMA should be attended to within 21 days with effect from November 3, 2014.

The threat by NATCA to go on strike to press for their demands is usually taken seriously by NAMA because the controllers have the capacity to ground flight operations nationwide due of the sensitive services they provide.

In addition, the ATCs requested for the review of the allowances of their members working at the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, which according to them has been waiting for approval at the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission since 2010.

Source: Dailyindependent