Union leader sacked bq
The National, Monday February 8th, 2016
By MALUM NALU
THE troubled PNG Power Ltd faces another crisis with the sacking of PNG Energy Workers Association president Eddie Gisa last Friday.
Gisa received his marching orders from acting chief executive officer John Yanis for speaking out in the media of PPL employees were warned of industrial action.
Gisa yesterday confirmed to The National that he was terminated last Friday “for speaking out in the media”.
“The acting CEO terminated me based on speaking out on the media,” Gisa said.
“I have not further comments as I’m still in disbelief…I got the shock of my life and I’m still trying to recover at the same time.”
Gisa said he had been with PPL for 26 years.
A statement from the union yesterday said the PPL management had “applied threatening, confrontational and bully tactics” as shown in the case of Gisa.
“He was obliged, in his capacity as PNGEWA president, to make general policy statements in relation to such matters,” it said.
“The remarks made, in this instance, were within matters at heart of his duties as the president of the PNGEWA. As its principal spokesperson, he is mandated to advocate for and behalf of the PNGEWA.
“Those remarks in the daily newspapers were made in that context, in that capacity.
“Management action by issuing the show cause letter, suspension letter and termination of his employment from PNG Power Ltd, occurred between January 8, 2016 and February 3, 2016 displays current management weakness and incompetence in managing staff issues in a timely and professional manner. The sacking follows media statements made by Gisa and Yanis.