BASL says action illegal
Airlines operating from the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), which is managed by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), today relocated their operations to the general aviation terminal.
Their action followed the disruption of activities at the MMA2 by members of Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) over alleged termination of appointments of 34 of its members by BASL.
The union, together with the support by some other unions in the aviation industry had, in the wee hours of today, blocked both the entry and exit points of the terminal thereby preventing airline staff and other aviation workers from accessing the facility.
Consequently, air passengers who had arrived at the airport for their early morning flights to Abuja, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Uyo and other destinations could not be airlifted.
As the unionists could not be pacified despite the overtures made to them, domestic operators resolved to move their services to the GAT.
One of the airlines that announced the relocation of operations was Ibom Air.
In a statement issued while the shutdown of the airport lasted, the airline regretted the impact such “unexpected action” would have on the travellers
“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 Bi-Courtney 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,” the airline said.
Some other airlines like Arik Air, Air Peace, Azman Air, Overland Airways, Max Air, Green Africa sent text message to their clients intimating them about the contingency arrangement made at the GAT for their travel. Some airlines had to reschedule their flights.
Reacting to the development, BASL management said in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Oluwatosin Onalaja that the union’s action was “illegal” adding that the union exhibited “damaging behaviour.”
The terminal manager said it has the right to run its business the way it dims fit.
It stated that the cause of the industrial action “is our decision to lay off some of our staff who we consider unproductive.”
It added that “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 statement reads:
“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.
“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 continue to lock up our premises and disturbing 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.”
