For protesting against wage disparity, Arik Air fires 10 pilots 

The management of Arik Air has dismissed at least 10 of its pilots for embarking on industrial action without due notice.

Aggrieved pilots began strike this week in protest against protracted wage disparity between expatriate and Nigerian pilots that has still not been resolved by Arik Air.

The management, in a memo, Wednesday, described the protest as an act of “indiscipline and callous,” especially at the peak period of festive travels and its attendant high demands.

Spokesperson of the airline, Banji Ola, said though the strike action affected operations of the airline, “we have been able to stabilise operation for scheduled services to customers”.

The management stated that a chunk of its pilots was dismissed for embarking on a strike action without recourse to laid down procedures.

“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. 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. They peddle for naught the reputation and financial health of the company,” the airline stated.