As Airline and Allied Workers Unite for a Productive Aviation Industry

The historic landing of Arik’s B737-800 aircraft on the runway of the Ibom International airport, on September 30, 2009, heralded the birth of aviation industry in Akwa Ibom state. 

In company of the first arrivals was a prospect of an economic revolution catalyzed by business activities in the airport, rekindling hope that the dream of an industrial take-off, high yielding economic opportunities and development of the state was realizable at last. 

As a matter of fact, this hope has not been dashed. If anything, it has been sustained through the effort of management and staff of the airport, especially the workers, who dedicate their time, training and experience into seeing that the enthusiasm displayed by Akwa Ibom people six years ago is not in vain. These workers under the aegis of Airline and Allied Workers’ Association, AAWA, have come together to forge a productive future for aviation industry in the state. 

From every indication, AAWA has set out to achieve great milestones even though it came into existence a little over eight months ago, when a group of airline staff thought it neccessary, at an end-of-year party in December 2014, to convene and facilitate the union of the various member airlines and handling companies. 

Today, the association has grown exponentially with membership strength spanning several airlines and allied companies including Arik Air Limited, Aero Contractors, Dana Air, NAHCO, SAHCOL, Greater Washington, Related Service Providers (Tourism) and others. AAWA is also finalizing a partnership deal with International Air Carrier Association, IACA, which represents not less than 29 airlines worldwide. 

This association, which recently changed its name from Forum of Airliners to  Airline and Allied Workers’ Association, AAWA, is a platform that encompasses the collective aspirations of all the airlines’ staff and the handling companies’ staff within and outside Nigeria. As its primary objective, AAWA is poised to foster close cooperation with relevant stakeholders towards encouraging modernization of the travel and tourism industry, considering its status as a major contributor to economic, social and cultural brand of the state and nation at large. 

Also, part of its goals is to mediate on behalf of employees of airlines and handling companies while transacting with government, governing airport authorities, aviation manufacturers and similar organizations to ensure smooth industrial relations. 

With a highly informative bulletin published quarterly, the association keeps its members up to date with regulatory developments, traffic statistics, operation performance and other aviation related information.

Furthermore, AAWA liase with authorities in the industry in the development of policies. It does so bearing in mind that for a practicable and sustained aviation policy, all hands must be on deck, following the example of the Ugandan aviation industry which boasts one of the best airport safety records in Africa.

Over there, collective bargaining with the transport union and investment in staff training has paid off for Uganda’s Entebbe Airport ground handlers, ENHAS. 

According to ENHAS CEO, George Tytens, the key to his company’s success is its staff, adding that when ground handling was privatised ten years ago and ENHAS was formed, worker’s rights was made a priority. 

Tytens recalls, “ very quickly we resolved that we should take on the concerns of the workers, we should try to integrate the expectation of the unions and I think we were lucky, we were able to do that. 

“Management agreed a set of terms and conditions with the transport union including education grants for workers’ children”. 

It’s the kind of successful collective bargaining agreement that AAWA is promoting in the state. Key among these agreements as obtained in Uganda, are major improvement on freedom of associations with employers and workers working together with the aim of enhancing the productivity of workers. In the case of ENHAS, it’s been able to bring workers and employers together for the benefit of their passengers at the airport as well as for the benefit of the aircraft that has been operating in this particular area. 

Workers receive extensive training and experienced staff double as trainers. ENHAS is now certified by the International Air Transport Association to train airport staff from across Africa in dangerous goods handling. 

Eventually, the investment in staff has paid off. Workers feel a sense of collective responsibility and ENHAS drivers have a near zero accident record.
James Nyanduru, Senior driver and trainer, ENHAS, surmises thus, “the thoughts which comes to my mind when I am driving towards the aircraft is in case I damage this aircraft or a machine how much will the company pay and how many are we going to lose generally, as staff, not me alone”. 

In the same vein, AAWA summits that highly skilled and committed workers mean customers of Akwa Ibom International Airport, AKIA and their cargo, are in safe hands. 

Membership in AAWA guarantees, among other benefits, flight discount, health benefits and life insurance. And, in the light of ongoing agitations for harmonization and reforms in the state’s aviation industry  such benefits should not be taken lightly. 

Considering  that similar associations in North America, Bahamas and Australia have brokered deals where all air workers now enjoy paid leave, sick pay, superannuation, parental leave, long service leave, paid overtime and penalty rate despite the fact that all of these benefits were initially opposed by employers, but achieved through negotiation. Incidentally, negotiation and mediation are among the strong selling points of Airline and Allied Workers’ Association, AAWA, whose membership and affiliations are drawn from across the world.