Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has accused the management of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) of breaching an agreement it signed with the union on matters affecting the disengagement of its members.
The union said the terminal operator did not exploit the full course of negotiation that was ongoing before it issued letters to 34 out of 37 workers sacked at the weekend.
Describing the decision of BASL management as a breach of the Labour Act, the union vowed to resist the obnoxious action of the terminal operator, saying it will latch on the collective mobilisation of other unions in the sector to protect the interest of its members.
Speaking at a briefing at the ATSSSAN secretariat in Lagos, its Principal Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Frances Akinjole said it will explore legitimate avenues to draw public attention to the infractions committed by BASL.
He said the company breached procedure in the way it carried out the disengagement of ATSSSAN members.
The union said the airport operator took the rash decision after failing to implement Conditions of Service it signed with the worker in 2021.
To reverse the decision , the union has issued the airport operator a seven Day ultimatum to comply with certain demands before it embarks on a series of actions.
But, BASL has absolved itself of any infractions saying it has complied with all laws of Nigeria regarding issuance of compulsory ten days leave of absence to branch executive officers and members of the union .
The company said it has always been very dutiful towards its staff.
It was gathered from correspondence exchanged between BASL and ATSSSAN the terminal operators on October 14, 2022 reeled out 37 names, and gave them forced 10 days “leave of absence”, with a guarantee that all their entitlements would not be tampered with.
However, after two weeks on October 28, 2022, BASL management gave all of them, including the branch chairman, secretary, treasurer and women leader termination letters.
A letter issued to a staff in the Aviation Security (AVSEC) Department of the MMA2, titled Leave of Absence read: “Kindly note that you are to proceed on a 10 days leave of absence with effect from 14th October, 2022. This is to allow management to assess the efficiency of the Terminal Operations.Salaries and allowance will be paid during this period.”
ATSSSAN in response to the letter sent to BASL through its Principal Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Frances Akinjole titled: Issuance of Compulsory 10 Days Leave of Absence to Branch Executive Officers and Members of our Union in Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited described the conditions as non acceptable.
ATSSSAN expressed disbelief and utter shock in the letters issued to its branch executives and members directing them to proceed on compulsory 10 days paid leave of absence with a strong warning that they keep off the BASL MMA2 premises within the stated period.
The workers were still in negotiations over the Conditions of service in the last nine months.
ATSSSAN declared in the letter that: “We view your 10 days leave of absence letters to our Executives and members as a clear victimization of members who have made bold demands for their rights. In the light of the above we demand as follows: The payment of terminal entitlements to all deserving staff without further delay.
“The withdrawal of the 10 days leave of absence letters issued to our affected branch Executives and members. We have made it clear to the BASL management that if they resolve to undertake staff rationalization, we as a Union are ready to engage them in discussions.
” But , we will never accept intimidation and victimization of our members in the manner Management is going about.
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” Relying on our pending ultimatums and notices in respect of some of our pending demands, we hereby avail Management seven (7) days from today, within which to comply with above demands, failing which we will do all that we deem expedient in the circumstance.”
Responding, BASL acknowledged receipt of ATSSSAN’s letter dated 17th October, 2022 and stated it has done the needful as an organization.
The statement read: “We have paid all allowances as and when they fell due. We have made our statutory pension contribution to the retirement saving accounts of our workers without fail. We have a health insurance scheme for our workers and their family members and we have always paid a premium as and when it is due. We also have a life insurance scheme for our employees.
“During the prevalence of COVID-19 when all businesses were shut down, we paid a substantial percentage of salaries to our staff during the lockdown. As soon as the lock down eased, we paid the balance of salaries to all our staff. We were informed that we were probably the only organization in the aviation industry that extended this gesture to its staff during COVID-19”.
BASL noted that even in the letter of the union dated September 17, 2022, the union stated that both parties were bound by the signed document.
“We totally agree with the position and are bound by the signed document. The document was signed on June 16, 2021 and in accordance with the law of the land and became effective on June 16, 2021. Going forward, we will pay the terminal benefits as provided in the agreement from that day”.
The company further disclosed that it had presented the letter of appeal to the Board of the company with the Board coming to a conclusion that going outside the agreement signed with the Association would be unlawful.
“It may expose us to litigation from stakeholders in the venture. The Board has warned against making payments that are not within the law of the land. We continue to be available to work harmoniously towards creating a conducive atmosphere between the Board, management and members of staff”.