Airline association names new executive

National

NEW National Airline Employees Association (NEA) general secretary Eddie Foe has welcomed his appointment as the association’s top executive.
Speaking during the association’s meeting last Friday, he said he was qualified for the post.
“I am privileged and humbled by my appointment as the general secretary for NEA. I went through the screening process and came in based on merit,” Foe said.
“I have a lot of experience in front line operations but I also have 20 years of union experience. I was the general secretary for Correctional Services and PNG Nursing Association.”
He said he appreciated the trust and confidence the NEA had in him.
Meanwhile, the association’s president Samson Nul told The National that the voice of the labour within the airline needed to be heard.
Nul said the company has their systems and business model to follow but they need to understand employees’ rights.
“I should have addressed this long ago but because of regular changes of Air Niugini CEOs and the fact that the company was not making enough money I was unable to do anything,” he said.
“PNG is a democratic country so we have all the rights to discuss issues and our rights must be given back to us.”
Nul said it was not right for companies and state-owned enterprises to continue exploiting people’s labour.
“One way or another we must be well compensated for our sweat.”
Nul said his office’s goal was to ensure the airline employees’ grievances were addressed.
“There are laws and regulations in place guiding us all. If I need to see the Prime Minister I will but the managing director is the first point of contact,” he said.
Nul said the employees’ awards expired last year which had all their privileges that included overtime, sick penalties, housing allowances and others and added that they were negotiating with Air Niugini to renew the awards.