Aviation workers down tools at Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos over sacked colleagues

AVIATION workers at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos have downed tools disrupting flights at Terminal Two in protest over the unprovoked termination of the appointment of 34 of their colleagues.

Members of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) blocked the entrance gates of the terminal this morning to protest the sacking of the 34 workers by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), the operators of the terminal. Their industrial action forced airlines like Ibom Air and Air Peace operating within the terminal to stop flight operations.

Ibom Air, in a notice to passengers, said the action of the union will greatly impact its flights scheduled in and out of Lagos today. A company spokesman said: “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."

Those staff affected in the disengagement include the ATSSSAN branch chairman, as well as the secretary, treasurer and women leader of the union, who were said to demand the payment of terminal benefits to staff members who exited the service of the company lawfully in line with the signed conditions of service agreement. According to the union, management acted at a time when parties were discussing the said payment and there was nothing to suggest that negotiation has broken down irretrievably.

ATSSSAN principal deputy general secretary, Frances Akinjole, said: “In light of the above. ATSSSAN has declared industrial action against BASL and calls on all branches nationwide, as well as all professional associations affiliated to ATSSSAN to withdraw services to all airlines operating into and out of the MMA2 Lagos immediately without fail."

According to the union, it considered the termination as victimisation of its members and executive committee members who were merely carrying out their constitutional duties. So far, BASL is yet to comment on the development.