President, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals ANAP, Comrade Kabir Gusau has charged officials of the union to be dedicated to their duties and responsibilities for the overall good of members.
Comrade Gausu who gave the charge while declaring a one-day training open for the union officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN branch in Sango-Ota, Ogun State said the training is meant to equip them to have the requisite knowledge on how to effectively handle union matters, bargaining skills with management on issues concerning workers welfare to achieve a win-win.
He emphasized that, the union exist to protect workers interest and contribute to the growth and development of the aviation agencies and the industry in general.
According to him, without adequate training, it would be impossible to pull through an agreement and ensure industrial harmony in the industry, adding that, the rules and regulations guiding labour matters must be adhered to for positive results.
“If you are not well trained, there is no way you can perform, you will be making a lot of mistakes and you will think union is just for you to go and bite and bang tables, go on strike today, go on strike tomorrow”.
He stressed that, the rule is, there must be dialogue and bargaining in resolving issues and if it does not work, embarking on strike should be the last resort.
Secretary General, ANAP, Comrade AbdulRazak Saidu in his keynote address
appealed to those privileged to be part of the training to participate fully through questions and comments to gain understanding so that, they can educate other members on how the union operates and coordinates it activities for their benefits.
He commended union members, who despite all odds stayed with the union, defended, believed and trusted in their leadership ability to protect their interest without compromise.
“The professionals sat and decided that, they want a professional union of their own in order to change the trend and that is where ANAP came in and since year 2016 October, if you look back, it has been a rough road almost 10 years rough road due to oppositions from individuals and even from other unions”.
One of the Resource persons and Associate Professor in the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources Management, University of Lagos, Prof. Francis Anyim called on labour leaders to have adequate knowledge of the Nigeria labour laws, government regulations and agreement procedures that influence employment conditions.
“If a member infringe the law, I cannot defend such a person. It is like a bible, it is like a rule, educate our members once they know the right thing, they should do it”.
The lead resource person Prof. Ayo Olowe of Unilag in his paper ‘Trade Union Funds and Financial Control’, emphasised that, the union members are entitled to be informed as to how their funds have been used or invested and must be used for the purpose of furthering the course of the union as contained in the rule book.
“We want a union that is very strong and one way of empowering their skill is to give them sufficient information, sufficient knowledge”.
He stated that, the proper use of the union funds would enhance the confidence and trust reposed on the leadership.
By Nosa Aituamen
Discover more from Radio Nigeria Lagos
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
