The Ghana Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association (GHATSEA) has announced it will embark on an indefinite industrial action effective October 30, over what it describes as years of neglect and mismanagement by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
In a statement released on October 28, the association said its patience had been “stretched beyond measure” due to prolonged inaction on issues affecting the morale and welfare of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP).
“The Ghana Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association (GHATSEA) wishes to, with the utmost respect yet deep frustration, draw public attention to the prolonged mishandling of our legitimate grievances by the management of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
“Our patience has been stretched beyond measure, and the silence and inaction on issues that directly affect the morale, motivation, and welfare of key technical professionals, the Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP), have left us deeply disgruntled, demoralised, and feeling neglected and disrespected,” the statement read.
The association said, despite years of peaceful petitions and engagements with management over “unfair salary administration, inequitable job placement, and unresolved welfare challenges that have persisted for over fifteen years”, its concerns continue to be mishandled.
“Our numerous appeals for fair treatment and structural correction have fallen on deaf ears, leaving ATSEPs across all regional airports feeling betrayed and unappreciated for their critical role in maintaining aviation safety,” GHATSEA noted.
The association also accused the Acting Director-General, Rev. Stephen Arthur, and the Acting Deputy Director-General (Technical), Theophilus Ago, of adopting what it described as a “regimental and brazen posture” towards its grievances.
“What is more worrying and deeply troubling is the regimental and brazen posture adopted by the Ag. Director-General, Rev. Stephen Arthur, and the Ag. Deputy Director-General (Technical), Theophilus Ago, who, in response to the Association’s genuine requests for redress, have shockingly conveyed a ‘Do your worst’ stance. This level of insensitivity towards a body of highly skilled professionals whose daily work underpins the safety and reliability of Ghana’s airspace is both unacceptable and intolerable,” it said.
“The integrity of the Human Resource office must be restored to preserve industrial harmony and ensure the continued safe and efficient operation of the aviation system,” the association stressed.
It emphasised that its patience had “completely run out”, hence the decision to commence the strike in line with the Labour Act.
“Effective October 30, GHATSEA will commence an indefinite industrial action in accordance with Section 160 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), until all outstanding matters are satisfactorily resolved. This action, though regrettable, is the direct consequence of management’s neglect and lack of good faith engagement,” it stated.
GHATSEA, however, apologised to all local and international airline operators, passengers, and the travelling public for any inconvenience the strike may cause, insisting the GCAA management must bear full responsibility.
“We sincerely apologise to all local and international airline operators, passengers, and the travelling public for any inconvenience this may cause. However, the responsibility for any disruptions must be placed squarely on those who have ignored the legitimate cries of the technical professionals who ensure the continuous safety and reliability of Ghana’s air navigation systems,” it added.
The association called on all well-meaning Ghanaians, the media, and relevant authorities to support their demand for “justice, accountability, and respect for the rights of technical personnel who form the backbone of the nation’s air traffic safety infrastructure.”
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