NLC declares GhATSEA strike illegal, orders immediate call-off

The National Labour Commission (NLC) has declared illegal an intended strike by the Ghana Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association, ordering its immediate call-off ahead of a planned industrial action on Thursday.

The decision followed a meeting on Wednesday involving the Commission, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association, according to a statement from the Authority.

The NLC ruled that the association lacks the legal capacity to declare or institute a strike, noting that it is not a registered trade union recognised under Ghana’s labour laws to negotiate conditions of service or undertake industrial action. As a result, the Commission said the planned strike contravenes provisions of the Labour Regulations.

GhATSEA had announced plans to embark on an indefinite strike beginning January 15, citing salary discrepancies among staff and demanding the removal of the Director of Human Resources at the GCAA. Following the announcement, the Authority petitioned the National Labour Commission to intervene.

In its ruling, the Commission said the issues raised by the association fall within the scope of an existing Collective Agreement, which GhATSEA has no legal mandate to negotiate or enforce. It added that only the recognised union that is a party to the agreement can properly pursue such matters.

The NLC further held that the association lacks the capacity to appear before the Commission and therefore has no legal right to declare a strike. It directed individual members who feel aggrieved to channel their concerns through the grievance procedures set out in the applicable Collective Agreement.

Once the issues are formally brought to the attention of management, the Commission said, they should be addressed without delay.

The GCAA said it remains committed to human capacity development and the promotion of staff welfare, while engaging the appropriate structures to resolve outstanding concerns.

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