The National Labour Commission (NLC) has ordered the Ghana Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association (GhATSEA) to immediately call off its planned strike action, declaring it illegal under Ghana’s labour laws.
The directive was issued on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, after a meeting involving the NLC, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and representatives of GhATSEA.
According to the Commission, GhATSEA lacks the legal capacity to declare or institute a strike because it is an association and not a registered union recognized to negotiate or engage in industrial action. The NLC ruled that only duly recognized unions are permitted under the law to declare strikes.
GhATSEA had earlier announced plans to embark on an indefinite strike starting Thursday, January 15, 2026, citing salary disparities among staff and calling for the removal of the Director of Human Resources of the GCAA.
Following the announcement, the GCAA petitioned the National Labour Commission to intervene, expressing concern about the potential impact of the strike on aviation safety and operations.
In its ruling, the NLC stated that the intended strike action contravenes Regulation 20(e) and (h) of the Labour Regulations, 2007 (L.I. 1833). The Commission further noted that the issues raised by GhATSEA fall within the scope of an existing Collective Agreement, which the Association has no legal authority to negotiate or enforce.
The Commission emphasized that such matters should have been pursued through the recognized union that is a signatory to the Collective Agreement.
Additionally, the NLC noted that GhATSEA lacks the legal capacity to appear before the Commission and, therefore, has no lawful basis to declare a strike.
The Commission directed individual members who feel aggrieved to channel their concerns through the grievance procedures outlined in the applicable Collective Agreement. It added that once the issues are formally brought to the attention of GCAA management, they should be addressed promptly.
In a statement following the ruling, the GCAA reaffirmed its commitment to human capacity development and the promotion of staff welfare, while assuring the public of its dedication to maintaining safe and uninterrupted aviation services.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
