Passengers stranded as Unions picket MMA2 terminal over sack of members

The Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) has been closed off to both workers in the facility and passengers alike as the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) members are picketing the company over what they described as unprovoked termination of the services of 34 union members.

After negotiations broke down last weekend, ATSSSAN declared industrial action against BASL and has called on all branches nationwide, as well as all professional associations affiliated to the union to withdraw services to all airlines operating into and out of the MMA2 Lagos immediately without fail.

NigerianFLIGHTDECK learnt that the union barricaded the MMA2 from the very early hours of today occupying the terminal and stating that it has no intention to leave until the issues surround the sack of the affected union members are addressed.

An Abuja-bound passenger who hinted our correspondent of the happenings at the terminal building said he was currently stranded outside and the unions had blocked every entrance and even cars coming in could not and is currently creating a backlog.

” What is happening boss? I can’t get into the terminal and my flight time is here, they have closed the place some people are not allowing anyone in, this is sad, I will miss my flight and who go reimburse me?” He lamented.

The union claims 34 of its members, which include ATSSSAN Branch Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Women Leader because of their gallantry in demanding from BASL the payment of terminal benefits to staff members who exited the service of the company lawfully in line with the signed Conditions of Service.

ATSSSAN said it considered the termination as victimization of its members and executives who were merely carrying out their constitutional duties.

They blamed the BASL management of inaction especially at a time when parties were on the table discussing the said payment, and there was nothing to suggest that negotiation has broken down irretrievably; stating that all efforts to get the management to recall the 34 staff members ofiyts union has been met with stiff resistance by the BASL Management.

Airlines are feeling the impact and may be the final losers as they are already warning their passengers of the ongoing challenges at the Terminal.

Ibom Air wrote to its passengers, “This is to bring to the attention of our esteemed passengers and the public, that our operating terminal out of Lagos, the Murtala Mohamed Airport 2, operated by Bicourtney Aviation Services Limited has been completely closed off to workers and passengers alike by the Labour Union, very early this morning.

“Efforts are currently being made to resolve the situation; however, please note that this action will greatly impact our flights scheduled in and out of Lagos today.

“We greatly regret the impact of this unexpected action on your day’s plans as we urge you to kindly stay close to all our communication channels for subsequent updates.”

However, with the number of flights that have been affected from the terminal this morning, despite the cause of the pocketing, the passengers would naturally hold the airlines to ransom blaming them for their flights and nothing will be said of the terminal operators ( MMA2) and the unions.

More details soon…