| Monrovia Transit Authority Will Be Viable …Director Wiah Reaffirms Commitment, Urges Striking Workers |
| Published on August 31, 2009 | Email To Friend Print Version
|
The Managing Director of the Monrovia Transit Authority (MTA), Mr. Senwan T. Wiah, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment in ensuring that the MTA regains its pre-war status.
With the unflinching support from the government, particurly President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Mr. Wiah says his administration will continue to work harder in a bid to make the entity efficient and viable.
Mr. Wiah reaffirmed his commitment when he addressed a news conference last Friday at the entity’s compound in Garnnersville, outside Monrovia hours following a strike action by some aggrieved employees of the MTA in demand of salary increment, right to unionize, death benefits among others.
But the MTA management excepted to all of the claims by the striking workers that warranted their action.
The strike action, which brought normal working activities to a halt for several hours, however, was cut off following the Ministry of Labour’s swiftly intervention.
This was occasioned by a close door meeting invloving the Labour Ministry led by Asistant Minister for Trade Union, Mr. Cole Bangalu, the management of the MTA and the workers.
At the end of the close door meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the management and the workers.
Among other things, the MOU states that workers immediately return to work and normal activities resume at the MTA; that the management and the workers via union would enter into a Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiation to discuss and consider all interest-based issues raised by the workers, such as transportation, salary increment, death benefits, and that no acts of violence will be tolerated on the part of any workers and that any such action will be treated consistent with the laws of Liberia.
Further speaking, Mr. Wiah points out that the management has since started addressing most of the issues raised by the aggrieved workers.
He further points out that this is evidenced by the salary structure at the MTA. According to him, the average wage at the entity stands at US$100.000, something, he observes, is encouraging owing to the capacity of the entity.
He indicates that he wants every one at the entity to getter better wage, but notes, such initiative, must be supported by hard work and efficiency.
Hear Mr. Wiah: “We can not address all the concerns of the employees in the absence of needy funds. If they want all of their concerns to be addressed, they must work harder as the government cannot do all for the entity.”
However, he expressese his support for the MOU, noting, “my main concern is for the masses out there to be able to commute from one place to another on a daily basis.”
Among other things, the MTA boss adds by urging employees of the entity to butress his efforts in making the entity viable, saying we can sit and talk than striking.
For his, the Assitant Minister Bangalu encourages the employees to exercise restraints and abide by the MOU. He reminds them that the viability of the MTA is contigent on collective efforts of all them.
He then expresses happiness over the mature manner both the management and the workers handled the matter.
|
|