Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) barricaded Terminal 2 building of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday to the chagrin of air travellers.

The association’s action grounded flight operations and left air travellers stranded.

The union barricaded the terminal building to deny access in a protest against the sacking of some of its leaders by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), the operator of the terminal building.

On October 14, the BASL sent 34 staff members on mandatory leave of absence “to allow management to assess the efficiency of the new terminal building, and allowances will be paid during this period.”

Two weeks after, on October 28, BASL gave the affected workers, which included the chairman, secretary, treasurer and women leader of the senior staff association, letters of termination of appointments.

Passengers travelling through the airport lamented the situation.

Abiodun Dipo, who had a 7:00 a.m. flight to Abuja, expressed his displeasure about the situation.

“The disagreement between the union and terminal building operator can be resolved in civil ways (rather) than blocking the airport and leaving passengers to suffer untoward hardship,” he said.

Sade Fadipe, who was at the airport with her two-year-old son, also lamented the situation.

“I had an important medical appointment for my son, but I missed the appointment because of something that has absolutely nothing to do with me,” she queried.

Meanwhile, ATSSSAN has declared a strike action against BASL and withdrawn its services, according to Frances Akinjole, the deputy general secretary of the union.

He stated that the ATSSSAN viewed BASL’s actions as victimising the union’s executives and members who demanded their rights.

Mr Akinjole noted that the union’s attempts to negotiate with the BASL to recall its affected members to work had met with brick walls.

(NAN)