Caverton promises to pay protesting workers in six weeks

The management of Caverton Helicopters yesterday met with aviation unions over outstanding benefits and promised to pay the former workers within six weeks.

However, the move, seen as a response to picketing of the company that began on Monday, did little to mitigate the aviation unions that shut the company’s operations in Lagos and threatened to continue their protests indefinitely.

Led by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), among others, the unions protested against unpaid benefits of former workers, alleged police harassment and other anti-labour activities.

The Guardian learnt that Caverton requested for six weeks to accumulate funds to pay the disengaged staff their outstanding benefits.National President of NUATE, Ben Nnabue, said it was unacceptable for management to involve the police in the unions’ matters when they were ignorant of the issues.