The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Caverton Helicopters Nigeria Ltd, demanding urgent action over the alleged failure to pay terminal benefits to former employees whose appointments were terminated.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Managing Director of Caverton Helicopters, the union expressed dissatisfaction with the alleged continuous termination of workers without prompt settlement of their entitlements. The letter, signed by Deputy General Secretary Odinaka Igbokwe and obtained by The Guardian, accused the company of abandoning former employees, including some whose severance packages had already been negotiated and agreed upon.
Financial Hardship for Disengaged Workers
The union lamented that many affected workers had been left in financial distress, despite having family and social responsibilities. According to the letter, the situation had forced some former employees into hardship, making it difficult for them to meet basic obligations such as paying rent, school fees, and other household expenses.
The letter read in part: “It is very unfortunate that even in some cases, staff whose terminal benefits have been negotiated and agreed are abandoned by your management, to become glorified beggars. Management is behaving in such a manner as if oblivious that these staff have responsibilities. These are people that are breadwinners in families. They pay rent and other bills. They pay school fees, and feed their families.”
NUATE Demands Meeting Within 14 Days
NUATE declared that it could no longer remain silent while its members suffer economic hardship. The union therefore demanded that Caverton management convene a meeting with its representatives within 14 days to provide explanations on measures being taken to address the financial challenges facing the disengaged workers.
The union warned that failure by the company to respond within the stipulated period could trigger industrial actions and other measures, which it said could have serious consequences.
