Employees of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) have unanimously agreed to lay down their tools until management adheres to their numerous demands.
The industrial action began Monday June 28.
The workers who petitioned the Workers’ Union said CAA top administration had refused to listen to their complaints for a long time.
In some communications seen by this website, on 15th June, 2021 the chairperson Workers’ Union Mr Oloro Denis wrote to Corporation secretary of CAA who is also the caretaker of the office of Director Human resource and administration after the position fell vacant early last year 2020 but UCAA couldn’t listen to the demands raised by the employees.
Among the grievances, the staff blame UCAA Board of Directors and top management of failure to pay their allowances like leave, risk allowance and acting allowances.
The workers further fault the Authority of failing to substantively confirm those who are acting in vacant positions yet the ones occupying higher positions have been approved and all their allowances fully paid.
This website understands that Emmanuel Barungi who was acting as General Manager Entebbe International Airport, Lt Col Allan Matsiko Murari Manager Aviation Security and Kalenge Bashir the Manager Administration were all confirmed a few months ago leaving others in acting positions with no acting allowance.
On Monday, the Workers’ Union chairperson Oloro communicated the decision of an industrial action until the top administration sorts out the mess.
Contacted for a response over these allegations, the UCAA spokesperson Vianney Luggya said there have been ongoing engagements and the top administration will meet the official of Workers’ Union on Wednesday for further direction.
“There are mechanisms for resolving issues/requests raised by the Union to Management, and these are all being exhausted with on-going engagements, including a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Management and the Union have over the years enjoyed a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship,” he said.
He added that, the impact of COVID-19 on the Aviation industry and economy meant that the Authority had to defer certain entitlements while fulfilling contractual obligations, including staff emoluments in order to go through this period. “These are some of the issues being discussed amicably.”
