BY JOACKIM KULE MUHESI
Members of the Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union in Kasese district have agreed to suspend their industrial action.
Recently, the members went to a strike over salary disparities, arguing that they were not having any assurance from the government indicating that they would be considered in the forthcoming financial year.
Yesterday morning, Godwin J. Bihanikire, the General Secretary for Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union, Kasese Chapter, explained to the press that their union leaders on Wednesday last week met with the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among, who assured them that the government was committed to increasing their salaries in the next financial year’s budget.
He revealed that the Speaker acknowledged gaps in salary allocations, adding that they were planning to first consider Local Council leaders from the Village to the District level.
According to Bihanikire, the Speaker promised that she would invite them to participate in the budgetary process for the forthcoming financial year so that they too contribute and present their opinions to the line committee, appealing to the members to immediately resume their duties.
He used the same platform to advise all the government workers to consider enrolling into legal unions if they were to have a common bargaining power.
Neckson Baluku Mbayahi, the Senior Assistant Secretary attached to Kasese District Local Government, however, vowed to make a repeat of the strike should the government fail to respond to them as agreed.
ENDS