The implementation of a 40 per cent salary increase for workers at Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) has triggered fresh calls for broader staff welfare reforms, as the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) urged the company to address other longstanding employee concerns.
The demands emerged during a visit by the union’s newly elected executives to SAHCO’s management in Lagos, where labour leaders welcomed the pay review but argued that improved remuneration should be accompanied by additional measures aimed at strengthening employee development and recognition.
ATSSSAN President, Comrade John Ogbe, praised the aviation handling firm for approving the salary adjustment, describing it as a positive intervention at a time when workers across many sectors continue to grapple with rising living costs and economic pressure.
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However, Ogbe maintained that welfare extends beyond monthly earnings. He urged the company to activate its long service award scheme, a provision contained in the organisation’s conditions of service, saying employees who have devoted years to the company deserve formal recognition.
He also called for greater opportunities for female staff members, particularly in training programmes conducted outside their duty stations. According to him, women in the aviation industry should not be sidelined when professional development opportunities become available.
The union leader used the meeting to reaffirm ATSSSAN’s commitment to maintaining stable industrial relations within the aviation sector, noting that cooperation rather than confrontation remains the association’s preferred approach.
Ogbe argued that the aviation industry occupies a strategic position in the country’s economy and requires a delicate balance between workers’ interests and organisational sustainability.
He further urged management to work closely with the newly elected branch executives, stating that the officials were chosen through a democratic process and remain committed to representing workers responsibly.
The discussions also highlighted growing concerns about workplace culture and changing labour realities within the industry.
Responding to the union’s requests, SAHCO Managing Director, , acknowledged the role played by ATSSSAN in advocating workers’ welfare and fostering dialogue between employees and management.
She observed that labour and management often approach issues from different perspectives, but insisted that both sides ultimately share a common objective: building a stronger organisation while improving the wellbeing of employees.
Aboderin stressed the importance of adapting trade union activities to modern workplace demands. She argued that unionism must evolve alongside changes in professional standards, productivity expectations and organisational culture
The SAHCO chief also raised concerns about what she described as increasing cases of substance abuse among workers, urging labour leaders to take a more active role in mentoring members and discouraging harmful behaviour.
According to her, discipline remains an essential requirement in the workplace and should not be compromised under any circumstance. She added that union membership should not be interpreted as protection against accountability or established workplace rules.
Aboderin explained that the 40 per cent salary increase formed part of the company’s broader strategy to improve staff morale, strengthen motivation and enhance job satisfaction.
The meeting underscored a recurring challenge facing many employers and labour unions in Nigeria: how to balance rising employee expectations with organisational performance. While the salary increase has been welcomed by workers, the latest engagement suggests that discussions around staff welfare at SAHCO are moving beyond pay packets to questions of career growth, inclusion, recognition and workplace responsibility.
As for management and labour, the conversation appears to be shifting towards what each side considers the next stage of workplace reform.
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