……union suspends action as basl recall sacked staff
Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), owners of Murtala Mohammed Terminal Two, MMA2 has described as illegal the action of aviation unions in disrupting flight activities today at the terminal.
This is just as BASL insists that, the Unions disregarded the court order issued by the National Industrial Court on 31st October, 2022, and continue to lock up their premises and disturbing the operations of the Terminal in a clear violation of the court order.
“This is a recipe for anarchy”.
The unions had this morning barricaded all access into the terminal over labour issues and the termination of employment of 34 of its staff.
In a statement, Head, Corporate Communications, Oluwatosin Onalaja says, there was no proper notice to the union’s action termed as “damaging behaviour” contrary to laid down principles of industrial relations and in total violation of the laws of Nigeria.
According to him, the terminal was shut down at 2:30 am today by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and some members brought in who are not employees of 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”.
Onalaja noted that, it is their right to lay off some of its staff they consider unproductive, adding that, it is their inherent right to manage the business in the most prudent manner and 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”.
“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”.
However, from information gathered, with the intervention of the Ministry of Labour, the unions have decided to sheath their sword and call off the protest.
Deputy National President, ATSSSAN, Comrade Emmanuel Jaja said, BASL management agreed to recall the sacked staff after a brief meeting with the ministry of labour.
According to him, there will be further meetings to iron out areas of disagreements.
