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Victory puts Uganda's guards on the road to a better life

David Baliraine, ATGWU Education Secretary addressing delegates at a UNI training session

The Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union (ATGWU) of Uganda has finally won recognition in Group 4 Securicor (G4S) , the UK based multinational, which is the largest private security sector employer on the continent with over 65,000 employees in 18 African countries. "After a protracted struggle of over 2 years, we have at last today signed a recognition agreement with one of the big private security multinational company in Uganda known as G4S Security (U) Ltd."

"We shall also be signing a Collective Bargaining Agreement on 20th March 2007 with all member companies in the Uganda Private Security Association (UPSA)," reports David Balirraine, the union's Information, Education and Training Secretary.



For over two years, G4S's subsidiary in Uganda was the only major security company that refused to recognise the ATGWU, despite a majority vote by its workers choosing to join the union. In January, 2007, the company agreed to recognise the union.  



"We would like to thank UNI and SEIU for their continued support extended to ATGWU through the G4Solidarity campaign, without which, it would have been very difficult to make this break through. The struggle continues and we hope we can penetrate in other MNEs in the Private Security Industry in Africa ," said David.



The company's actions in Uganda were brought to the attention of government officials in the UK where the company has its headquarters. A complaint was filed against the company for violating OECD guidelines on sustainable development and workers' right to organise into unions. The complaint, which includes evidence of violations of national laws and international standards in Malawi, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, and other countries is still under investigation.



Contract Provides Improvements for Guards

The Amalgamated Transport & General Workers Union negotiated a number of improvements for Ugandan security workers including:

• higher wages security workers will see their pay increase from 85,000 Uganda shillings to 90,000 followed by a raise to 95,000 shillings.
  
• more paid leave
  
• improved maternity and paternity benefits including uniforms for pregnant guards and the opportunity for light duty assignments The union says their challenge now is to sensitise the new members and train the shop stewards to be elected to appreciate their roles and obligations. 
  
• In all the African countries where G4S operates, unions have complained of constant pressure on workers to work long hours, often without payment of legally required overtime pay.

The Union side was represented by the General Secretary, Romano Ojiambo-Ochieng; the Section Secretary for Property Maintenance Industry, Azizi kiirya and the Section Secretary for Information, Education and Training, David Baliraine.

The Company was represented by the General Manager, F.L. Jacobs and the Human Resource Manager, Christine Achanda.

The signing took place at the offices of Tight Security Ltd, a company whose CEO, Mr Allibhai Mohamed  is the current Chairman of the Uganda Private Security Association and witnessed the signing of the agreement on behalf of the Association.