Nigerian Flight Deck Travel and Business Reportage
Management of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two ( MMA2) have declared the action of Airport Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) illegal stating that there was no proper notice.
The terminal operators reacting to the sack of 37 workers, 34 of which are unionists and the shutdown of their facilities said it was their right to manage their business in the most prudent manner and should not be intimidated by external forces as is being done in this case.Passengers stranded as Unions picket MMA2 terminal over sack of members
After breakdown of negotiations, the union as early as 2:30am shut down the operations of the terminal stranding many travellers and causing untold turmoil to airline operations which led to some airlines relocating to the General Aviation Terminal ( GAT).
A statement by Head, Corporate Communications, Oluwatosin Onalaja on the issue read, “Contrary to laid down principles of industrial relations and in total violation of the laws of Nigeria, our Terminal was shut down at 2:30 AM on 1st November, 2022 by Airport Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN). There was no proper notice of this damaging behaviour.
“The Union brought in members who are not employees of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) to prevent the employees of BASL from working. This is also an unlawful action. Our relationship is with union members that are our employees and not external members. This is clearly an illegal action and continues to set a bad precedent in Nigeria. Airlines temporarily relocate to GAT, rue logistics, financial; other effects of MMA2 picketing
“The alleged cause of this industrial action is our decision to lay off some of our staff who we consider unproductive. It is our inherent right to manage our business in the most prudent manner and we should not be intimidated by external forces as is being done in this case.
“The Unions are also claiming that we should apply the conditions of service which we signed in June, 2021 retrospectively. Again, this is contrary to established rules of industrial relations and the laws of Nigeria.
“On being made aware of a court order issued by the National Industrial Court on 31st October, 2022, the Unions disregarded the order and continues to lock up our premises and disturb the operations of the Terminal in a clear violation of the court order. This is a recipe for anarchy.”We remain very law-abiding citizens and use this medium to apologise to all our clients and stakeholders for the totally unacceptable behaviour of the Unions.”
