BREAKING News: Passengers Stranded, Flights Grounded As Aviation Unions Shut Down Lagos Airport

Posted by Odinaka on Wed 10th Oct, 2018 - tori.ng

The unions in the aviation sector have shut down operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 Lagos on Wednesday over alleged sack of 20 employees who indicated interest to unionize.

File photo: Lagos airport

Air passengers are said to be currently stranded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport 2 in the comemrcial city of Lagos, as aviation unions have shut down activities at the airport.

The protest by the aviation unions followed an earlier threat over sack of workers by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited.

On Tuesday, a Federal High Court had granted an order in the suit filed by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of MMA2, restraining the unions from shutting down activities at the airport.

It was gathered that 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).

The unions are; The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

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The unions said all services to MMA2 would be withdrawn effective October 10, unless the management fully reinstate all the affected workers without loss of pay or seniority.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

It was learnt that the unions and BASL had been at loggerheads since May when the workers were laid off.