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AUATON Group Criticizes Airport Parking for Uber/Bolt Drivers
AUATON Criticizes Airport Parking for Uber/Bolt Drivers: The Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has revealed it is against the directive requiring e-hailing drivers to pay a fee of ₦45,000 for airport parking.
A letter sent to the Minister of Aviation revealed that the said directive was reportedly issued by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The union’s faction has however stood against the directive. According to their statement, every union has its defined jurisdiction and area of operations.
AUATON Criticizes Airport Parking for Uber/Bolt Drivers
The faction highlighted that the AUATON cannot operate parks in the first place as it goes against its principles and jurisdiction.
The statement read, “Our union was established to focus on technology and applications that connect us to customers through platforms like Uber, Bolt, Indrive, etc.
“We have two applications: customer applications linked to companies and driver applications that transport customers. These applications work together to meet our requirements as app-based workers. Drivers who go to the airport are only supposed to pick up and drop off customers, not to form parks.”
“They may wait for extended periods before receiving another request. If there’s a scheduled plane landing, they can wait briefly for passengers to clear their luggage.”
AUATON Urges Minister To Avoid Indefinite Strike
The union also requested an emergency meeting with the minister before the proposed implementation date (July 15, 2024) of the “Lagos State Airport policy”, to avoid an indefinite strike at the Lagos airport and a possible protest that would no doubt disrupt the airport’s daily operations.
The faction also faulted Bolt’s decision to pay for a park for their drivers. According to them, that was a mistake that led to the creation of a cabal that is causing problems at the airport.
They also pointed out that sponsoring the park runs contrary to Bolt’s policy and as such cannot be accepted.
The union wrote, “We believe that there are better ways to improve and protect public security and that the decision to impose uniform wearing and additional payments on drivers is a system that favors only one particular business entity (Bolt).”
Responding to AUATON, FAAN has made provisions for app drivers, granting them access to the airport for drop-offs and pick-ups.
However, the factional general secretary of the union, Ayoade Ibrahim, said FAAN highlighted that the only thing open for negotiation was the extension of time allowed for drop-offs and pick-ups.
