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Yesterday, February 26, 2021, the government stepped in to prevent serious disruption to air transport and operations at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with striking workers of the airport.
Strike action by unionized staff at the Ghana Airport Company disrupted travel plans for many passengers who had to take domestic and international flights early in the morning.
Travelers with early flights were greeted by a deserted airport as there was no one to look after them while airline staff who were also present did not know what to say to their passengers.
However, a timely intervention by the Chief of Staff, Ms. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, who called the workers’ union leadership to an emergency meeting, prevented the situation from worsening.
The meeting, in which the union leadership participated, and which had the designated ministers for national security and employment and labor relations, respectively Mr. Albert K. Dapaah and Ignatius Baffour Awuah, resulted in the immediate cancellation of the strike for CV.
It was agreed at the meeting that the government has two weeks to respond to and respond to the demands of the restless workers.
Situation
The workers, who last Thursday notified their action through their leaders, led the strike, leaving dozens of travelers stranded because there was no service to allow them to go through the process to undertake their trips, which either nationally or early morning international flights.
The strike was aimed at provoking the dismissal of the company’s chief executive, Mr. Yaw Kwakwa, for mismanaging the company and reducing his fortune.
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Judge Agbenorsi reports from KIA that in the morning there were dozens of travelers at terminals two and three for domestic and international flights, as there was no staff to accompany them through the boarding process.
While some had gathered to discuss the matter, others were restless to be kept in a state of uncertainty without any words from airline management or staff.
Some travelers, especially those traveling on domestic flights, have decided to use alternative means of travel, with most opting for the bus.
However, later in the afternoon the tension eased as travelers who were patient to wait went through the boarding process.
The Daily Graphic observed that the departure halls were occupied during the check-in of travelers.
Additionally, queues had built up outside as passengers lined up to be screened.
Neither staff who had returned to work nor airline staff spoke to the Daily Graphic.
A passenger, Yaw Ankomah, who was on his way to Tamale, said he was relieved at the resumption of operations.
“The morning event has already disrupted the schedule of many people. It is a relief that service has resumed. If he had been allowed to continue, it would have wreaked terrible havoc on people’s travel plans, ”he said.
Crunch meeting
The president of the divisional union of the public workers union, Mr. Issaka Bamaba, told the Daily Graphic, Donald Ato Dapatem, that the leadership of the workers’ union had been invited to a critical meeting by Ms. Akosua Frema Osei-
Opare, Mr. Kan Dapaah and Mr. Baffuor Awuah where they agreed on a memorandum of understanding.
He said it was agreed that the government have two weeks to consider their demands and “act on them”, adding that the union has also agreed to suspend the industrial action and will await the government’s response.
Travelers to Kumasi
From Kumasi, Daniel Kenu reports that domestic travelers have had to look for other ways to get to their destinations following the strike by workers at the Airport Company Limited.
Usually very busy on Fridays before the weekend, at 10am yesterday the airport was deserted as most travelers who had to travel in the morning said they were heading to Asafo VIP station to catch a bus.
“This country is not serious. You cancel a flight without a word to the passengers, is that right? Mr. Yaw Adumako, a businessman from Adum, who said he had a meeting scheduled with his partners in Accra in the morning, told the Daily Graphic.
The flight lands at Tamale
The first flight of the day arrived at 2 p.m. in Tamale, and operations resumed around noon when Samuel Duodu arrived to assess the situation.
Airport staff informed the Daily Graphic that the strike had been called.
Workers’ action
This latest action by workers comes after the union issued a statement on Thursday urging all staffs to withdraw their services at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) from 6 a.m. on Friday February 26, 2021, until that the union communicated otherwise.
The workers said: “Action has become necessary following the council’s attempt to dismiss the report of an inquiry committee made up of the Aviation Ministry, the council, senior management and the trade union. utility workers, who confirms allegations of mismanagement and abuse of power. against the Director General, Mr. Yaw Kwakwa ”.
Services involved included pre-board passenger screening and access control, fire / security coverage for all aircraft, water supply and sewage treatment, as well as public announcement and flight display.
Source: Graphiconline.com
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