ATCL workers` union pledges support to new management
Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) Workers Union has distanced itself from media reports that have been portraying it to be against the recent change in the company’s management announced by the Transport Minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe.
Dr Mwakyembe nullified the appointment of former ATCL CEO Paul Chizi and in his place appointed Capt Milton Lazaro to take up the company’s top post hinting that the former had failed to meet company’s objectives.
While addressing ATCL workers at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam a day following the changes, the minister had boldly asked any unsatisfied persons to turn in their resignation letters with immediate effect. Neither reports nor criticisms have been, officially, aired, on the contrary.
A joint statement issued in the city yesterday, by the Acting Chairman of the ATCL Workers Union, Gerald Msuya and signed by ATC House Chairman, Gerald Msuya said the union will give the necessary support to the newly appointed management to ensure that the company moves forward.
“…ATCL Workers Union would like to make it clear that the reports circulating in the media do not hold any truth. We respect Dr Mwakyembe’s choice of appointment and we will render the necessary support to ensure that the company moves forward…” pledged the acting chairperson.
He insisted on the invalidity of media information calling them ‘mere rumours’. He did however point a speculative finger at the supposed rumour mongers saying the false allegations were, “…spread by selfish individuals within the company who do not want the company to focus on serious business.”
He found it, ‘surprising’ that, “…the stories published always quoted anonymous sources…” The CEO sees no need for discretion on the part of the informants and as far as he is concerned, “…if such people are communicating factual information, why do they have to hide their names?” he queried.
As it turns out, the Workers Union has a constitution to follow that clearly stipulates the right procedures to follow in case of any grievances and so the chairman advices any disgruntled personnel to follow the set protocol
He did not stop at advising, he announced the union’s intention to carry out investigations to determine persons behind the ‘misleading information’ and sternly warned that punitive action will be taken against those found to be in anyway connected to the ‘treacherous’ acts will “…serve as a warning to others.”
"We need to focus on serious business at hand, not waste time refuting misleading information by selfish individuals…” the chairman complained and went on to tip his hat to the government for, “…entrusting us once again and we pledge not to let them down,”