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…union issues 7-day ultimatum
…we have complied with all laws of Nigeria-BASL
Posted by Sade Williams
The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has kicked against the sack of 34 of its members in the employ of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), issuing a 7- day ultimatum to the Company.
The association, in a statement signed by Comrade Frances Akinjole, the Deputy General Secretary, ATSSSAN, said it was surprised to see that out of 37 persons given letters of 10 days leave of absence, 34 were its members and that of the executive.
It said such amount to witch-hunt and willful intimidation, saying that rather implement the conditions of service as agreed with it in 2021, it resorted to sack of its members.
It has however asked BASL to enforce payment of its members’ terminal entitlement and reverse the leave of absence, failure which the union will resort to using any know means to fight for their rights.
But BASL said it has complied with all laws of Nigeria regarding issuance of compulsory ten days leave of absence to branch executive officers and members of its union in BASL.
The firm in s statement yesterday said it has always been very dutiful towards its staff, stressing that facts are sacrosanct.
The management explained that in 15 years of operations, it has always paid salaries as and when due at the end of every month.
“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 the health insurance scheme for our workers and their family member and we have always paid 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 lockdown 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”.
The company further disclosed that it executed a new condition of service on June 16, 2021, adding that through the negotiations of the conditions of service, the union insisted that the document will be implemented to the letter without an iota of discretion.
BASL noted that even in the letter of the union dated September 17, 2022, the union stated that both parties are 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”.