Sirika tasks trade unions on industrial harmony in aviation sector

Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has called on labour unions in the aviation sector to channel their agitations towards creating an environment of industrial harmony that allows for the sector’s development going forward.

Speaking at a workshop with the theme “Harnessing the Gains of Industrial Harmony in the Aviation Sector” organized by the Joint Aviation Trade Unions Forum in Owerri, Imo State, the minister said the event was timely, considering the rate of labour-related issues that have bedeviled the industry in recent past.

According to him, the critical nature of the sector requires that all stakeholders, including the trade unions, prioritise industrial harmony with a view to entrenching a workable relationship between the employers and the employees.

Explaining why this is important, Sirika said “Good industrial relation helps in effective utilization of man, money, and material.”

He added that industrial harmony also brings about “improved employee morale, industrial peace, recognition of employee’s interest and reconciliation of employer’s and employee objectives and interest, increased production with minimum wastage of resources.”

The minister, who was represented by the Director for Public Affairs, Mr. James Odaudu, charged the unions to imbibe the doctrine of collective bargaining which, according to him, is vital for industrial peace and harmony.

He noted that “through the collective bargaining process, the labour union saves the employer much time that he could have used in negotiating with workers individually.

“These times that are saved through collective bargaining process can be employed by management to consider other challenges affecting the organization or in strategizing ways to achieve competitive advantage over competitors.”

The minister also noted that through the instrumentality of trade unions in the industry, there will be an improvement in workers’ efficiency and discipline, which will lead to organizational productivity.

He urged the unions to embrace a progressive attitude as they champion the course of their colleagues in negotiating for better welfare through collective bargaining.

In so doing, the unions would “ensure a win-win situation for all parties, rather than always adopting an aggressive and confrontational stance,” said Sirika.

He charged the unions to be law-abiding in their pursuits and respect work ethics, not encouraging a docile attitude to work.

“Labour unions should educate workers on their rights, privileges, and obligations and develop in them a sense of responsibility and provide for the training and adequate education (which I believe this retreat is meant to achieve). This will ensure that while workers agitate for their welfare issues, they are also aware that from whom much is expected, much should also be given.

“On our part, we will continue to support the involvement of union leaders and workers in our policy and decision-making processes. This is because, when issues arise at the workplace between managers and the employees, union representatives remain the channels to secure a “win-win” situation in which both sides feel as if they each attained something from the deal.

“It is hoped that this strategic retreat, as the name implies, will refocus leaders of our various unions towards redefining their strategies from incessant disputes and actions that can create instability in the sector. We need you, as strategic partners, as much as you need us, as managers of the sector, to deliver on our joint responsibility of repositioning the sector for the benefit of all stakeholders.

“This appeal has become imperative, given the fact that having entered the critical stage of the implementation of our aviation sector development roadmap,  we need all hands on deck to ensure its success. Only an environment of industrial harmony can guarantee that,” the minister said.