As a result of the union's action, dozens of travellers who had arrived at the airport to catch morning flights to their destinations were stuck.
Nigerian aviation workers have ended their strike and left the entry gates of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2) Terminal in Lagos State so that aircraft operations could resume after workers illegally sacked by B-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) were recalled.
SaharaReporters had reported how numerous passengers who intended to board the early-morning flights out of the private terminal of the airport were stranded on Tuesday because one of the aviation unions blocked the entrances leading to the terminal, in protest of the termination of 37 workers by the terminal management.
In order to stop the airlines from running their early morning flights, the union, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), reportedly took positions at the critical entrances leading to the terminal building as early as 6am.
As a result of the union's action, dozens of travellers who had arrived at the airport to catch morning flights to their destinations were stuck.
The private terminal blockage is because of the sacking of 37 workers, including union executives, by the terminal's operators, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited.
The union had branded the dismissal of its members as witch-hunting and wilful intimidation, stating that rather than implementing the terms of service agreed upon with the union in 2021, the BASL administration had resorted to dismissing its members in its creation.
The union listed those affected by the disengagement to include ATSSSAN Branch Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Women Leader who were said to demand “the payment of terminal benefits to staff members who exited the service of the company lawfully in line with the signed Conditions of Service.”
Meanwhile, hours after the protest, ATSSSAN General Secretary, Francis Akinjolie said BASL had recalled the disengaged workers.
“The strike that was embarked upon today against the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited has been called off pursuant the acceptance by the company to recall the laid off members of our union and an undertaking to pay their salaries,” Akinjolie said in a statement late on Tuesday.
According to him, the agreement was reached at a meeting empanelled by the Ministry of Labour and Employment; Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and airport security agencies.