Cameroonian Pilots Threaten Strike Over Poor Working Conditions

SPINAC, the Cameroonian union representing pilots and flight engineers, is preparing to go on strike if the Cameroon Airline Corporation (Camair-Co) does not address their concerns.

In a letter sent to the Littoral Regional Delegation of Labour and Social Security, the union outlined a series of grievances, including racial discrimination, flight safety issues, inadequate English proficiency, and low wages. The letter indicates that the strike will commence immediately after the strike notice is delivered.

In an eight-page document signed by Captain Njom Mambingo, an airline pilot captain, SPINAC accused Camair-Co of deliberately neglecting the maintenance of new aircraft, which are considered part of Cameroon’s national heritage. This failure to adhere to civil aviation regulations has led to the degradation of these assets, and the union claims that the current organizational structure is unsuitable for meeting safety requirements.

The union also raised concerns about the “harassment, torture, and psychological and mental torment” experienced by national civilian pilots. They allege that these pilots have been subjected to illegal and unilateral modifications to their employment contracts since 2021, which included drastic salary cuts.

SPINAC further highlighted “clear racial discrimination, mental and psychological harassment,” and the execution of flights by military pilots as major issues. They criticized Camair-Co’s management for its lack of vision and for creating a tense working environment for pilots. This tension is exacerbated by the company’s inability to comply with employment contracts and its struggle to operate in English. The union pointed out the “conflict of authority, conflict of interest, confrontation, incompatibility, and strong tensions between civilian pilots and military pilots” as factors that are negatively impacting their work.

According to SPINAC, “out of 12 declared aircraft, eight are grounded due to lack of maintenance; therefore, four aircraft are owned by Camair-Co, and the rest have a hybrid ownership status.”

The union also criticized the airline’s management, stating, “Given the reasons mentioned above due to inappropriate management and the astonishing ability of top management not to comply with the requirements of maintaining its air operator certificate (AOC), it is obvious that other service providers are replacing the National Company, despite their contemptuous and lousy service, as a result of which all the personnel (ground and flight) have completely lost confidence in the management.”

SPINAC stated that the strike could only be averted if Camair-Co undergoes a radical restructuring, with full and active participation from the union. They called for the “rationalisation of optimal human resources management,” along with a clear definition of the company’s project, objectives, and vision.

The union also demanded the “redeployment of military pilots to the army or to the Air Protection Brigade (BPA) of Camair-Co,” arguing that these pilots, who receive double remuneration at Camair-Co, should not be part of the civilian workforce. Additionally, they called for the normalization and regularization of salaries for all staff as of March 23, 2023, and the removal of the MA 60 aircraft from the fleet, which they deemed “useless” following the acquisition of two Q400 aircraft.

Mimi Mefo Info