Another round of crisis may be brewing in the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos over the sack of 37 staff, among who are 34 union leaders and members in the organisation.

Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), however said that the sack of its members was tantamount to witch-hunt and willful intimidation, alleging that rather for the management of the terminal operators to implement the conditions of service as agreed with it in 2021, it resorted to sack of its members in its establishment.

Comrade Frances Akinjole, the Deputy General Secretary, ATSSSAN stated on Saturday that the management of Bi-Courtney had on October 14, 2022 called out 37 names for leave of absence for 10 days, which was to enable management access the efficiency of the terminal operations with the guarantee that all their entitlements would not be tampered with.

Akinjole alleged that a day after the expiration of the 10 days leave of absence, which was on Friday, October 28, 2022, the management decided to terminate the appointment of the 37 workers with disregard to the rule of law.

Among the sacked workers, according to Akinjole were ATSSSAN Branch Chairman, Branch Secretary, Branch Treasurer and Branch Women Leader.

Also a letter dated October 14, 2022, jointly signed by Oyindamola Eyimife and Blessing Ewah, the Human Resources Officer and Authorised Signatory, Bi-Courtney, respectively, confirmed Akinjole’s allegation.

The letter read in part: “Kindly note that you are to proceed on a 10 days leave of absence with effect from October 14, 2022. This is to allow management access the efficiency of the terminal operations. Salaries and allowance will be paid during this period. Please note you are to keep away from the premises throughout the leave period.”

But, ATSSSAN in its response signed by Akinjole, dated October 26, 2022 and addressed to the Managing Director of BASL and made available to our correspondent, expressed shock by the decision of the management of the terminal operator to address burning issues in the company.

ATSSSAN insisted that the management of BASL has resolved and perfected an act of deliberate provocation against its union and its interests in the organization.

The union threatened that if after 48 hours, payment of its members, terminal entitlements were not determined and the forced leave of absence placed on its branch executives were not reversed, it would not hesitate to protest the discrimination.

Aviation unions had on October 10, 2018 shut down operations at MMA2 for about three days, over union issues.

The unions had alleged then that the management sacked 20 employees who indicated interest to unionise. (Daily Independent)