The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) are to enter into negotiations over the recent strike ultimatum issued to the agency.

The association had given FAAN 48 hours to meet its demands or risk industrial action.

It wants FAAN to immediately reverse the approval granted Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), the operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport domestic terminal (MMA2), to commence regional operation.

It said the deal should be reversed because the company allegedly refused to pay for services rendered it by FAAN, noting that it was from such revenue that workers are paid.

The General Manager, Public Affairs of FAAN, Yakubu Dati, however said the FAAN management was aware of the issues and had started initiating processes to handle them.

"Management has already initiated processes to address the issues raised. We believe however, that as a family we will resolve them amicably. FAAN sees the unions as partners in progress", he told our correspondent.

ATSSSAN had in a letter dated November 26 signed by Rotimi Kehinde on behalf of the ATSSSAN general secretary and addressed to the managing director of FAAN, threatened to down tools over the issue.

Other demands include the immediate release of outstanding staff promotion and stagnation due to the lack of vacancy and payment of arrears of 27% balance.

They further urged the FAAN management to pay transfer allowance, hajj allowance, 28 days in lieu of hotel accommodation and medical claims. They also urged the management to clarify the status of PENCOM in FAAN on actuarial valuation of staff, the agreed N250 million monthly remittance and update on the current PENCOM audit report and ensure immediate payment of gratuities.