Minister for Employment Jone Usamate has today announced that despite exhaustive efforts by the Ministry of Employment to mediate the dispute between ATS and the ATS employees who participated in an unlawful strike, no resolution has been reached.
Usamate says, as a result, the Ministry must defer to the decision of ATS management to suspend the employees.
He says the walk off of some ATS employees was declared as an unlawful strike on 16th December in accordance with the Employment Relations Act.
Usamate also says that ample opportunity has been provided to resolve grievances and discuss a positive way forward between ATS and the Federated Airlines Staff Association.
However, after two weeks of informal mediation, no resolution has been accepted by the parties.
The Minister for Employment says as an employer, ATS management instituted internal disciplinary measures by suspending ATS employees who participated in the unlawful strike.
Usamate says given the non‑resolution, the ATS employees who walked off their jobs will remain suspended.
If the matter remains unresolved, a formal conflict resolution mechanism is available, where the individuals or union concerned can file a dispute or grievance with the Ministry for formal mediation or to go before the Employment Tribunal.
