MMA2: Aviation Unions Call off Strike as Bi-Courtney Recalls Sacked Workers

Chinedu Eze

After negotiations last night’s negotiations, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Known as MMA2 and aviation unions reached an agreement that the former would recall the 27 workers it sacked, while the union would call off the strike, which had lasted for two days, THISDAY has learnt.

This is coming as the five airlines that operate at the terminal have decried their losses, with Dana Air saying it lost over N100 million on the first day of the strike, while BASL said it lost N120 million for the two days the strike lasted.

Investigation also revealed that Arik Air, Max Air, Aero Contractors and Azman Air were estimated to have lost about N180 million during the period.

Leaders of 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 (NAAP) went into negotiation with the officials of BASL yesterday evening.

After the protracted negotiations, BASL assented to the demands of industry unions by recalling the sacked 27 workers of the company.

The talks were facilitated by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) which sent representatives to intervene on the matter.

BASL agreed that the 27 sacked workers would be recalled by the management while activities would return to the terminal from today (Friday).

Before the strike was called off, the terminal operators had accused the unions of acting contrary to court order, which restrained them from embarking on the action.

Airlines operating at MMA2 had also threatened to downsize their workforce as the strike lingered.

On the second day of the strike, workers at the terminal carried counter placards against the union members as they protested and asked labour to leave terminal.

Some of the placards read, “NUATE/ATSSSAN let Bi-Courtney be”, “BASL is a responsible employer of labour, unions should stop troubling Bi-Courtney” among others.