By Olamilekan Okeowo
Flight operations have resumed at the Mohammed Airport 2 (MMA2) Terminal in Lagos State after aviation workers under the aegis of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), the operators of the terminal reached a truce.
Consequently, the ATSSSAN has called off the strike embarked upon to protest the sacking of 34 workers paving the way for the resumption of activities at the terminal.
The aviation workers had on Tuesday morning blocked the MMA2 terminal gates, disrupting airport operations and forcing airlines to suspend flights.
ATSSSAN General Secretary, Francis Akinjolie disclosed that they are calling off the strike since BASL has recalled the disengaged workers.
“The strike that was embarked upon today against the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited has been called off pursuant to the acceptance by the company to recall the laid-off members of our union and an undertaking to pay their salaries,” Akinjolie said in a statement late Tuesday.
According to him, the agreement was reached at a meeting empanelled by the Ministry of Labour and Employment; Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and airport security agencies.
It would be recalled that the union had grounded aviation activities at the Terminal to protest the “unprovoked termination” of the appointment of 34 aviation workers by the operators of the airport terminal, the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL).
The union listed those affected by the disengagement to include the ATSSSAN Branch Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Women Leader 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”.
