The UK-based Privy Council is set to hear arguments in a labour relations dispute between the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Public Services Association (PSA) over union certification for aviation sector employees, following an appeal by the authority.

The case hinges on whether the PSA was properly recognised as the certified recognised majority union (RMU) under the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 2003 (CAAA) and whether that recognition was subject to the Industrial Relations Act (IRA). At issue is the interpretation of section 26A of the CAAA and whether compliance with Part III of the IRA, including certification by the Registration Recognition and Certification Board (RRCB), was required before the PSA could be deemed the official bargaining unit representative.

The Civil Aviation Authority, an essential industry established under Act 33 of 2000 and re-established by the Civil Aviation Act of 2001, assumed responsibility for civil aviation from the Ministry of Works. Employees previously served as public officers under the ministry and were transferred to the authority when it was created.