Pilot Down Tools At Aero

[18left]

Aero pilots(locals) in both rotary anf fixed wing downed tools today,and it looks like it hit hard at tier operations today,any body know what they are grumbling for,am sure its more money
keep it up its about time we kicked this greedy airline managers in the ass for once!

[LongJohnThomas]

Aero?????? :eek:
Wow!!!! Thats a first! For once, pilots out there are begining to grab the bull by it's horns.:D
You go boys!!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
This should tell the rest of you not to keep your arms crossed when things start to go bad!:ugh:
Nice one.:D:ok:

[Flying Touareg]

Our friends at VK were planning to do the same i hear.I dont know what happened. This is a good development for pilots in Nigeria.

[Flying Touareg]

''Nigerian pilots and engineers working with Aerocontractor Airlines on Wednesday, embarked on strike that left hundreds of its passengers across the nation stranded.
The workers were protesting what they described as the management’s preferential treatment of expatriates to the detriment of their Nigerian counterparts.
According to them, several letters had been written to the management on the declining conditions of service and welfare as it affected Nigerian pilots and engineers but the management failed to respond.
Aerocontractors is a key player in the Nigerian aviation industry servicing the oil and gas industry.
The airline has two Boeing 237-400, two 737-300, five dash 8-300 and 16 helicopters.
The airline also operated and maintained aircraft for oil companies like Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
Addressing aviation correspondents in Lagos, the National Vice-President of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Kayode Owolabi, said their grievances included a call for six-weeks on-and-six-weeks-off duty for Nigerian engineers as enjoyed by their foreign counterparts.
They are also calling for incentive pay allowance of about N19,200/N12,800 as approved by the head office in Canada and enjoyed by their foreign counterparts.
Owolabi said, “Aerocontractors management granted expatriates a compensation for Extended Tour/Deferred Leave while nothing is done for the Nationals”.
He stated that the airline’s management had made Warri Operational Base, an exclusive right of the expatriate pilots and engineers for selection and promotion to the position of base manager.
He added, “Similarly, arrangements are under way to make Agip Base operation an exclusive right of the Portuguese expatriates by getting them accelerated multiple type ratings/trainings,” he said.
“It is obvious that Aerocontractors has portrayed to Nigerians and indeed the Federal Government of Nigeria its continued inability to produce competent Nigerians to occupy professional positions after 40 years of operation in the country,” Owolabi said.
The union also accused the management of biased training programme for engineers, arguing that there was a wide disparity between the expatriates and their Nigerian counterparts.
It urged management of Aero to consider the propriety of looking into the issues by way of proffering lasting solutions.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Aero, Mr. Koen Neven, said negotiations were still ongoing with the union. He, however, hoped it would be resolved on Thursday (today).""

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20070614640698

[AlternativeProcedure]

Now thats what i'm talking about, keep it up, we are all equal, Nigerians and expats.

[Rani]

AP,

How to entice expat pilots and engineers to come to work in Nigeria? Is Nigeria a safe, expat-friendly place?

How can the airlines turn a profit if the local pilots were also paid in hard currency or its exact equivalent in Naira?

What are the local pilots after? If the expats are fired or leave tomorrow, wouldn't the Nigerian airline system fail?

Questions in need for answers!

[unstable load]

I am all for the Nigerian nationals getting paid the same as the expats. :ok:

Those that want that can go to Baku in winter, or down to Antarctica for 4 month trips:eek:, or to South America where they will have to learn a new language:ugh: in order to be able to do their jobs properly and be constantly looking over their shoulders to check out for kidnappers or muggers.:ouch:(not that there aren't eneough in Nigeria)

Then they can also do 6 weeks away from their families and loved ones :(and have to sit and count the days as they pass so slowly.

BRING IT ON!!!!

[AlternativeProcedure]

Rani,

we all fly the same planes, slug it out at the same dangerous places, when bullets are being fired in the so called dangerous places, they do not discriminate between local or expat, they are just as dangerous. We all deserve the same level of compensation. This business of justifying one pay scheme for one set of people and a different one for another set just doesnt cut the ice. And by the way, nobody wants the expats to leave, they do a very good job. So do the Nigerians. Everybody works just as hard to make the company successfull. We just need to be treated equally thats all. Not too much to ask.
AP

[Rani]

AP,
I'm all for equality as well, but we shouldn't overlook the acute shortage of local pilots!
Nigeria hasn't been getting sweet press reviews lately. Kidnappings, health hazards, robberies, faked "elections", etc. Again, what I'm saying is that in order to lure (for example) the Australians, Canadians, and Italians to come to Nigeria, the airlines have no choice but to throw a bone in their direction.
What you're saying is "that's fine, so long as I'm also thrown a bone" - yet this is your own country! Leaving family behind is not an issue, nor is cultural shock, paranoia of being attacked, etc.
Something has to give!
Are you familiar with Emirates' pay system? I'm not putting it in high regard, but just take a look at how the crew are paid in accordance to "average pay in native country"! Not a utopian system at all - but who said capitalism is fair anyway? Demand and supply!

[AlternativeProcedure]

Rani, Rani, Rani
Nigeria hasn't been getting sweet press reviews lately. Kidnappings, health hazards, robberies, faked "elections", etc. Again, what I'm saying is that in order to lure (for example) the Australians, Canadians, and Italians to come to Nigeria, the airlines have no choice but to throw a bone in their direction. No dispute about all that, but all we are saying is that, at some point fairness has to kick in. Employees will always talk amongst themselves, they will always find out what the other is earning for doing the same job and sooner or later there will be a demand for better conditions. I'm not so sure you are totally aware of what is being demanded. Newspapers tend to over dramatize things, so here we go. Aero is owned by a company called CHC, some people are being paid by CHC, some by different agencies, some by aero itself. In some opinions, the CHC scheme is better than the Aero one. Even amongst the expats, some people arent on the CHC scheme.
The dispute is about everyone, going on the CHC sheme so that there is uniformity for all. And the scheme does take into considering stuff like seperation allowances that u mention. That means that if a Nigerian is posted to a place like CHC Libya, he/she would get that seperation allowance, but in Nigeria they wouldn't. But at the moment the difference in terms and conditions between those on it and those not on it is huge. That is what is creating the resentment. Trust me, Aero guys are just not the type to down tools for the sake of doing so, they wouldn't do it if they believed the current system was fair. PM me if you want further discussions on this.
Cheers AP

[alghaita ganga]

Some of you here have said that strike is a good thing, but I think strike is never a good thing. All you will do is cause division and resentment. Customers (passenger, like me) will rarely have sympathy for strike. Al this will do is to cost Aero business.

[NDB17]

AG

You're right strikes usually generated ill feelings b/w mgmt and labor, but in Aero's case, I believe the guys had been pushed to the wall. Both expats and locals are not please with mgmt at the moment.

AP,

Give us the gist as to what is going on in aero at the moment.

[MamaPut]

Aero don't really have any management now, just bullies or feathermen :ugh:

[middlepath]

Hi Mamaput

Any of the old timers (from Schreiner airways days )chief pilot and pilot managers still working for Aero? (Nabil,Dapo,Patrick)
Cheers.
MP

[LongJohnThomas]

There's no question about whether the actions of the Pilots have been viewed as fair or not.
Whenever Pilots embark on any form of action against management, it is always looked upon as aggression!
It is my opinion that the Pilots in Nigeria have been overworked, under-paid and just OUTRIGHTLY exploited!
The unfortunate part is, it has lasted this long because the older ones always feared for their jobs and lacked the 'BALLS' to do anything about it!
These are the same lot that'd stand like they know it all; but now will reap from the labour and courage of the younger and more dedicated crew.
Local crew in Vk and all other companies with ex-pats should do the same!
Don't wait for the old freaks!!!! They have no 'LIVER' as we put it in Nigeria.
They have accepted the current conditions as their personal limits. It is noteworthy though, that limits are mentally set and those you accept ARE!:ok:

[MamaPut]

middlepath,
Yes, all the old hands are still here, though I think Nabil is retiring this year (or maybe next?). Dapo, Patrick, Rees, Ripa all still here, but quite a lot of new guys with all the new Dash 8 and 737.

AP,
What's this about all these dangerous places where the bullets are flying? The only place I've seen that is out in the swamps where the militants are and where only helicopters fly :} Maybe you mean the journey to work which we all have to endure and is probably more dangerous than the flying :eek:

[middlepath]

Mamaput
Thanks for your information, are those old guys not holding any management position?
cheers:O

[Very_Low_and_Fast]

Aero is a Nigerian company and CHC is not a majority shareholder. CHC does not dictate Aero's local benefits but helps local demands endlessly with :mad: loads of cash. Everybody knows that since CHC took over Schreiner, most of the local salaries tripled in a short time... :rolleyes:

Leave CHC alone and ask Ibru family to review your status and benefits. If they can afford it, that is fine. If they can not afford it but still agree on all demands and eventually run our of business that is also fine.

The same would be if, for example, Kenya Airways ask one of the foreign shareholders (KLM, has 20 something %) to provide some crew on the common type due to shortage of pilots and local, Kenyan pilots ask for the same and nothing else but the same benefits as KLM pilots.

There are quite a few companies in the world where foreign airlines have shares and help run local airlines. Would Air Madagascar pilots ask for same salaries and benefits as AF just because Air France has 3% in the company??

Or would Air Tunga Lunga Captain ask his Tunga Lunga boss for the same salary as BA because when he went to London he had to land in the same fog as his British colleague on the same type?

Of course they can ask but they might not get it. This is capitalism and no space for social issues and emotions. :ouch:

[middlepath]

Very low and fast

You have a valid point, so does the others.
Sorry for my ignorence, who owns Aero now? is CHC a canadian company?
Are737 owned by Aero or still leased from Eastern blocks.
Thanks for updating, I used to work in Lagos and its always nice to hear latest news.

Cheers

[Human Cargo]

I been following this thread for a while and biting my lip!!
Now that i cannot stand the taste of my own blood any more, its time to talk. About 11 months ago I had a conversation with Capt.Paul U and
Mr Charles the Personell manager of Aero in the office of
Capt. Ugocheuku. In that converstaion these exact issues were raise and what they were proposing and "in deed" what they both were assuring me was that by the end of 2006 "ALL" expats would have to accept the Nigerian terms & Conditions or else they would have no job. In actuality, just the reverse has happened. I honestly believe that both of these guys are involved in "behind the seens " Organisation of this strike because their credibility is at stake with the locals. Mr Koen while in charge of the Nigerian operation does have to answer to CHC, there have been meetings on several occaisions with the board and CHC with regard to these issues, but they never seem to get resolved.
However at the end of the day they all will go back to work and nothing will ever become of this job action. Because they all know that what they are getting now is more than Virgin or Arik will pay them.

[Alpha Bravo Bravo]

Human Cargo, it is not proper to mention names here please.

[NaijaNinja]

Unfortunately, this happens to be my first post on pprune!

Human Cargo, that wasn't an honourable thing to do - mentioning names. You could make people lose their livelihoods for good deeds. Let's all hope you've not done that already, in which case, you will have to live with the guilt that goes with your actions!

[ZAZOO]

Pheeew ok!!! Yeah um next time no names ok :eek:

Interesting though!!! Just NO names next time.

[LongJohnThomas]

I think if you're brave enough to make a comment, you should be brave enought to stick the consequences!
Just my train of thought; my ten cents worth!:ok:

[NaijaNinja]

Actually LJT, i second that motion but in a place like Nigeria and especially when you probably have a young family to take care of, its surely an unfortunate way to lose a great job!

I believe in standing up for principles but i don't believe its Human Cargo's place to grass the named persons. Those persons should be the only ones to reveal their own identity thereby reflecting how strongly they feel about their cause.

That's the only gripe i've got with Human Cargo!

[ZAZOO]

OK OK OK I thought we ended that one about the name thing :confused:

So guys eh ehm so whats the pay at Aero now, lets know that one and no names please!!! ;)

[Human Cargo]

I dont use this forum for the purpose Rumour,Slander,or bad mouthing.
I believe that if you want to make a credible comment about someone or and incident in time. then you will have to be willing to publish facts, including names times and places if necessary.The truth is always the truth!!! even in lagos!!!!!
As far as people losing their lives.With all the nonsensical bravado that goes in lagos, i dont believe that anyone,let alone these two gentlemen will have anything to worry about.They are well known and "Quite" influental, and have their own armies.
Faithfully
GB:ok:

[Human Cargo]

I dont use this forum for the purpose Rumour,Slander,or bad mouthing.
I believe that if you want to make a credible comment about someone or and incident in time. then you will have to be willing to publish facts, including names times and places if necessary.The truth is always the truth!!! even in lagos!!!!!
As far as people losing their lives.With all the nonsensical bravado that goes in lagos, i dont believe that no one,let alone these two gentlemen will have anything to worry about.They are well known and "Quite" influental, and have their own armies.
Faithfully
GB:ok:

[LostAndFound]

Naija Ninja Check Ur Pm

[NaijaNinja]

Human Cargo, you have your reasons and you tried to back up your actions which i somewhat agree with.

Fair play and always stick to the truth, i RESPECT that!

[Flying Touareg]

If you want to mention names here, tell us who you are first. It is as simple as that. Otherwise, dont come here as anonymous and then mention names especially when it can affect someone's career no matter how "connected" the person is.:=

Human Cargo, disclose your identity before you mention names next time:ok:

[Human Cargo]

Yes You are absolutely Right!!!
So since you Bring up this great idea...Maybe you should be the first to disclose your "true Identity".

You seem to be making this a personal issue. Yes this is an annonimous forum. And EVERYTHING said here is subject to Great sceptisism!
How you and your klan want to deal with this is your business.!!:ok:

[BALEWA]

Whats the latest on Aero lads...:confused:

Is the gists going around true about the changes in management, especialy management pilots and the HR guy!

Cos if it is then pheeeeeewwwww thats some serious clamp down going on in Aero .

Human Cargo we need you on this one mate any intels :E:E:E