Flight disruptions loom as Aviation Unions plan total shutdown of MMA2

Indications have emerged that ongoing trade dispute between aviation unions and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of Muritala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), might take a new turn this week following the expiration of the ultimatum by the unions.

The unions, comprising of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), had given a seven-day ultimatum expected to elapse today (Monday) to reinstate their members who were allegedly disengaged from service.

The aviation unions through the General Secretary of NUATE, Olayinka Abioye, on Sunday accused BASL for the breech of rights by sacking 20 of their employees for joining union activities.

“It is even an offence to criminalise trade union membership. It is an offence by any employer to refuse to recognise registered trade unions. Our partners owe workers this obligation. Should anything happens tomorrow (Monday), kindly understand our plight,” he said.

The aggrieved unions may today shutdown the MMA2 in protest of what it described as anti-labour activities of BASL.

Read also: FG meets Boeing, plans to set up a new career

Should the unions shutdown the MMA2 today, this implies that the local operations of five airlines using the private terminal including Med-View, Arik Air, Dana, Azman Air, and Aero Contractors might be disrupted and could affect passengers’ travelling plans.

This might possibly put local flight activities inbound and outbound of Lagos on hold.

BASL, in a statement by Steve Omolale on Sunday, had however, described the threat to shutdown the terminal as an act of lawlessness against the organisation on the part of the unions, saying the affected workers were those that have either attained retirement age or “who were found not to be diligent in their duties.”

The organisation also vowed it would resist any attempt to disrupt its operations.

“We reserve the right to continue to improve the quality of our staff.

“We will do everything within the laws of Nigeria to enforce our right to peaceful existence and to operate our business without any interference from meddlesome interlopers,” the oraganisation said.

By Oluwasegun Olakoyenikan…

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now