Union threatens FAAN over BASL regional flight approval

AIR Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) has threatened management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) with the possible withdrawals of their services if it fail to reverse the approval granted Bi-Courtney (MM2) to commence regional flights.
It also demanded the immediate release of outstanding staff promotion and address issues of stagnation due to the lack of Vacancy and Payment of outstanding Arrears of 27% balance.They further urged the FAAN management to ensure the payment of outstanding staff claims such as Transfer Allowance, Hajj Operation Allowance, 28 days in lieu of Hotel Accommodation and Medical claims.
In a letter dated 26th November 2015 signed by Rotimi Kehinde on behalf of the general secretary addressed to the Managing director of FAAN reads “We hereby place before you and your management the under listed demands to be meet within 48 hours or face withdrawal of service in all FAAN formations”.
While reacting to this, Management of FAAN, through its General Manager Corporate Communication, Yakubu Dati said the management had gotten the unions’ letter but called for calm as the issue is been looked into by the management.
He explained that although FAAN is looking into the unions’ threat, the airport landlord is not in the business of granting regulatory approvals to airlines and so FAAN has not granted MMA2 any approval to commence regional operations.
Dati said,” Management is aware of these issues and is initiating processes to handle them as they are. Whatever issues the unions have expressed we will deal with as a family, their grievances will be looked into and as I said we have already started a process to get to an amicable solution that will not lead to any unrest so we appeal for calm and urge the union to partner us as we all want one and the same thing, the growth of this industry.”
Ag General Manager Public Affairs, Sam Adurogboye had this to say,” I learnt Dana did apply to NCAA seeking approval to commence its Regional flights from MMA2. Also, NCAA has carried out an audit of the terminal but for Dana or any other airline to operate from there, all the international airport terminal facilities and agencies such as immigrations, customs, NDLEA, Plant Quarantine, and AVSEC must be present at the MMA2.”
The union called on the management to clarify the status of PENCOM in FAAN vis-à-vis Actuarial Valuation of staff, Agreed N250 million monthly remittances and update on the current PENCOM Audit report and to ensure immediate payment of Gratuities.