The standoff between the management of Senegal's Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) and the country's aviation union, SYNPAAS, has intensified. In a letter to AIBD's Director General, Cheikh Mamadou Abiboulaye Dieye, SYNPAAS cautioned against any attempts to intimidate or sanction employees exercising their right to strike. The union expressed outrage over directives to implement physical attendance checks at Yoff and Diass sites, aiming to penalize staff who stayed home in observance of the general strike.
SYNPAAS has instructed its members to adhere to the strike call, emphasizing that no justification exists for exceptional measures against employees following this directive. The union disputes the characterization of the strike as illicit, arguing that this classification is a unilateral and biased interpretation. According to SYNPAAS, no company, including AIBD SA, has the authority to override competent jurisdictions and declare the strike illegal, leading to disciplinary actions.
The union has specifically warned against several actions, including discriminatory salary deductions exceeding the actual duration of the work stoppage, physical attendance checks aimed at identifying and penalizing strikers, and any disciplinary sanctions, such as warnings or suspensions, related to participation in the strike. SYNPAAS emphasized its commitment to social dialogue while asserting its intolerance for undermining the right to strike and attempts to criminalize its legitimate exercise.
SYNPAAS's concerns arise from instructions reportedly issued by AIBD management to organize systematic physical attendance checks. The union views these measures as an unacceptable frontal attack and an attempt at intimidation. The checks are intended to identify and sanction employees who stayed home during the strike, a move SYNPAAS strongly opposes.
The union's letter to the AIBD Director General highlights the escalating tension between the two parties. SYNPAAS maintains that it will respond proportionately to any continued intimidation tactics. The situation remains a critical issue for Senegal's aviation sector, with the union steadfast in its resolve to protect its members' rights.
The strike, and the ensuing tensions, underscore the challenges facing Senegal's labor relations. SYNPAAS's determination to defend its members' right to strike reflects broader concerns about workers' rights and the balance of power between employers and unions in the country. The situation at AIBD will likely continue to be closely watched by stakeholders across Senegal.
As the situation develops, SYNPAAS has reiterated its commitment to dialogue, provided that its members' rights are respected. The union's leadership has made it clear that it will not back down in the face of what it perceives as unjustified attempts to intimidate and sanction its members. The outcome of this standoff will have implications for labor relations in Senegal's aviation industry and beyond.
Key points
- SYNPAAS warns AIBD management against intimidation tactics and sanctions targeting employees participating in the strike.
