Arik fires protesting pilots

The management of Arik Air on has dismissed several of its pilots for gross acts for staging a walkout during the Yuletide.

They were sacked for not following the laid down procedures for the company’s staff to express grievances.

According to Arik management, the pilots did not serve a strike notice in accordance with labour laws.

“They neither submitted any issue of dispute to the National Association of Airline Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), their umbrella union nor did they submit any statement of demands to the management of the company,” a press statement said.

“There were also no ongoing discussions between the management and the pilots on any unresolved labour issues. Their actions were spontaneous and callous.

Arik Air finds it rather treacherous of the pilots to contemplate a strike action at this Yuletide season which is the peak period for airlines all over the world.

The airline said it has been engaging with relevant aviation unions including the National Association of Airline Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), on conditions of service for all employees.

“This has led to the signing of a robust condition of service and redundancy benefits for staff,” the airline said.

It regrets how the strike action has affected already booked flights as many of them had to be cancelled.