Unions, BASL tango over plans to shut MMA2

• Action, great threat  to aviation sector-Ojikutu
• BASL maintains workers not sacked

     The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE),  Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) said they would today shut down operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2.

They alleged that the operators of the terminal, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) sacked 20 employees who indicated interest to unionise.

The unions had in a Notice of Strike on Tuesday threatened to disrupt operations at the terminal operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) tomorrow.

But a member of aviation think tank, Aviation Round Table (ART), Group Captain John Ojikutu (Rtd) warned that the threats by the unions in the industry to disrupt the activities at the MMA2 over their demands that some workers disengaged by the firm must be recalled pose a great danger to the country’s aviation sector.

Ojikutu said if the unions carried out their threats, it would tarnish the image of the country and negatively affect the travelling public as well as airlines and other businesses operating at the terminal.

He said, “The unions have the right to go on protests but there must be limits in aviation. If you say you want to disrupt the operations of MMA2 and you call the airlines operating from there to find an alternative, I get worried and I ask, what is the NCAA doing about it? There is nothing that happens in aviation today, good or bad, call the NCAA. If they fail to do it, then something is wrong”.

Disrupting the operations of the airport terminal will affect airlines, who have a responsibility to the travelling public and other operators. If you disrupt an operator, you are simply hurting the nation and giving a very bad image of the country to the outside world. This is a country that wants to concession some of its airports, what are you telling the people that want to come in to buy into this? You are simply telling them not to come and if they don’t, how do you have a meal on your table? That is where my worry is.”

The spokesperson for BASL, Mr Steve Omolale, had said contrary to the claims of the unions, these workers who were relieved of their appointment were staff, who had either attained retirement age or who were found not to be diligent in their duties.

The unions said they were compelled to issue the notice following the refusal of the BASL management to cooperate with the interventions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and airport security agencies.

The unions said all services to MMA2 would be withdrawn effective Oct. 10, unless the management fully reinstate all the affected workers without loss of pay or seniority.

They also advised the management to recognise the unions and allow the unhindered processes of unionisation in BASL in compliance with extant labour laws.

“By this notice, all aviation workers connected with MMA2, including the employees of BASL, are hereby directed to withdraw their services as above notified and join other members in the organised protest activities at the terminal on that date as from 6a.m.

“By this notice also, all business enterprises, including airlines are hereby advised to note this development and make alternative arrangements as may be feasible.

“In similar manner, the traveling public are equally advised to seek alternative traveling points, or dates,” the unions said.

The unions, while apologising for any inconvenience caused by the disruption, vowed to continue the protest until BASL accede to their demands.

Wole Shadare