Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria: Air Peace Workers Reject Aviation Unions' Picketin

• Air Peace workers dissociate themselves from aviation unions' picketing
• Workers claim they have always had a voice in company decisions and don't need union representation
• Constitutional law guarantees voluntary union membership, with Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution explicitly stating that association is voluntary
• Trade Union Congress (TUC) constitution also recognizes voluntary union membership

According to him, workers are constitutionally free to decide whether or not to belong to a trade union.

The ongoing picketing of airlines by aviation industry unions has been met with resistance from workers at Air Peace Limited, Nigeria's largest airline. The workers have dissociated themselves from the industrial action, stating that they are not part of it and do not support the unions' demands. According to Comrade Aminu Suleiman, a spokesman for the workers, this decision was made after careful consideration and consultation with management. He emphasized that employees at Air Peace have always had a voice in the running of the company and have no need to join an industrial union.

The workers' stance is backed by constitutional law, which guarantees their freedom to choose whether or not to belong to a trade union. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, explicitly states that association with any other person for the purpose of regulating the terms and conditions of employment is voluntary. Furthermore, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) constitution also recognizes the voluntary nature of union membership, stating in Section 12 that membership is not compulsory.

The decision by Air Peace workers to dissociate themselves from the picketing has significant implications for employers and employees alike. As lawyers advising airlines on industrial action will attest, it highlights the importance of understanding that workers may not necessarily join unions, and that existing channels of engagement with management are sufficient to protect employee interests. In this case, the workers at Air Peace have demonstrated their satisfaction with the existing channels of engagement with management, which has enabled them to enjoy regular salaries, health insurance, and other benefits without the need for union representation.

Lawyers advising airlines on industrial action should be aware that workers may not necessarily join unions, and employers can argue that existing channels of engagement with management are sufficient to protect employee interests.

Source: Original reporting via Vanguard