At last, the management of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) has finally bowed to the pressure of agitating aviation unions who have been protesting what they termed the unlawful sack of 27 of their members.
BASL management and the rampaging union leaders have now reached an agreement ending the grueling two-day strike that has cost airlines and other businesses at least N300 million
Tha management of the BASL, from what was gathered, acceded to the demands of the three unions that shutdown their operations as both parties have reportedly signed the agreement that snowballed into the current picketing.
In a letter signed by the Group Executive Director, Roger a whittle and Group Head a Human Resources, Ola Azeez, addressed to the unions titled: Re:15-Day Ultimatum to Recall and Reinstate Workers the management of Bi-Courtney agreed to the unionsâ demands as follows:
âStaff of BASL are free ( as they have always been) to exercise their right of association by indicating their willingness to join any of the aviation unions. The management shall deduct and remit check off dues as required below.â
âThe 27 members of the union who were laid off shall be recalled without loss of pay or service and deployed to where their services are required within the ResortGroup. Thereafter the company intends to declare them redundant and is willing to discuss their redundancy benefits with the unions in accordance with the Section 20 of the Labour Actâ
Earlier today, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) shut down the operations of the terminal.
According to the unions, until the 20 sacked workers of BASL were reinstated the industrial action will continue indefinitely.
The workers were sacked in February for indicating interest to fe part of one Union or another and this did not go down well with labour as they took the matter up negotiating to get them recalled.
Before the agreement was reached it was learnt that airlines operating from MMA2 to various destinations in the country include Dana, Aero, Arik, Med-View, Azman, Max Air had lost over N300million in revenue.
One of the airlinesâ officials, who craved for anonymity, said: âFor now, we have lost over N63million to the ongoing industrial action and losing such money in an industry where airlines are still grappling with a myriad of challenges is unacceptable and disappointing to say the least. We do not know how the situation will be in the coming days and we might have no other option than to downsize, if the action stretches for too long.â
However, with the agreement reached, the airlines that relocated would move back to their base and recommence services from there.
Recall on Tuesday BASL obtained a Federal High Court order restraining the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) from disrupting the operations of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2).
However, despite the late restraining order suit number FHC/L/CS/16412/18 obtained by Bi-Courtney Aviation the unions embarked on the industrial action crippling the terminal operators services.
Nigerianflightdeck has also learnt that an Interministerial committee is to be set up to look into unionism among private Organisation in the sector.
At the negotiating table were the Nigeria Police, Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), Nigeria Drug a Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Immigration Service ( NIS) and the warring parties.
