Turkish Airlines: 7 Nigerian workers were sacked over $600k ticket racketeering

Turkish Airlines says it sacked seven Nigerian workers because they violated various ticketing reservation rules costing the airline significant economic loss to the tune of over $600,000.

The airline made this known in a statement on May 22.

Turkish Airlines spoke after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on May 20, directed its members to picket Turkish Airlines in Lagos state for sacking seven of its members.

NLC said the Turkish Airlines workers, who are members of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), were sacked without benefits under “bogus charges”.

The protest was said to have stalled flight operations that were to take place on May 21 and left 300 passengers stranded.

Reacting to the event, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on May 22, threatened to impose severe penalties on Turkish Airlines for its alleged mistreatment of Nigerian passengers.

Michael Achimugu, NCAA spokesperson, said following the workers’ union’s action, passengers of Turkish Airlines have remained stranded at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, as the airline has failed to airlift them to Istanbul.

In its defence, Turkish Airlines said the narrative presented by NUATE was not true.

“Our attention has been drawn to various malicious and unfounded publications orchestrated by the NUATE regarding Turkish Airlines and its former employees,” the airline said.

“The publication claims that the Airline, in a bid to exterminate the Union, had dismissed 7 of its employees who are members of the union on alleged trumped-up charges. This cannot be farther than the truth.

“In late 2023, the Airline discovered an unfortunate pattern of ticket racketeering, particularly various ticketing reservation violations committed by 7 of its employees which caused the Airline significant economic loss and hardship to the tune of over $600,000.

“Upon discovering the violations, the Airline immediately engaged the Union in various discussions on how to address the said violations.

“Specifically, the Union was invited and acted as a member of the disciplinary committee against the erring employees, where it was determined, after the presentation of irrefutable evidence detailing the employees’ wrongdoings, that the employees were liable for gross misconduct and ought to be dismissed.

“After the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings, the Airline gave the employees the option to voluntarily resign which 3 out of the 7 employees did. However, the 4 remaining employees who indicated that they were interested in resigning later declined to do so.

“The union, despite full compliance with disciplinary process, refused to sign off on disciplinary action to the erring members of staff.”

‘UNION THREATENED TO PARALYSE OPERATIONS’

Turkish Airlines said despite clear and undisputable evidence of wrongdoing, the union has continuously threatened to paralyse the airline’s operations in Nigeria by way of industrial action if the employees are not reinstated.

“Premised on the threat of industrial action issued by NUATE by notices dated 28 February 2024 and 25 March 2024, the Airline instituted proceedings in suit No.: NICN/LA/24/2024 – Turkish Airlines Incorporated v The Registered Trustees of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), seeking to determine the legality of the Union’s (threatened) actions, among other things,” the company said.

“After the institution of this suit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) and after service had been effected on the union on February 9 and while motions for injunction were pending before the court, NUATE proceeded to execute their threats to picket.

“On March 26, union members of NUATE barricaded the Airline’s check-in stations at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos State and prevented its passengers from boarding for over 2 hours.

“It was only through the intervention of the airport authorities that NUATE’s attempts to cause a complete breakdown of law and order at the airport was thwarted.

“Under the cloak of the NLC picketing, NUATE has disrupted the business of the Airline and has forced the Airline to cancel its flights because of the picketing carried out yesterday, May 21.”

Turkish Airlines further said since 2006 when it launched its operations in Nigeria, it has continued to put the interest of its passengers and employees first.

“The airline has always encouraged its employees to participate in any union of their choosing and has sought to work harmoniously with all governmental and non-governmental bodies in Nigeria,” Turkish Airlines said.

“However, the association expects the airline to ignore these illegal behaviors and actions, which are contrary to the airline’s transparency and management principles and cause serious financial losses to the airline.”

Turkish Airlines also said it has no tolerance for illegal and wrongful actions and will act accordingly and exercise all its legal rights regarding the process.