The General Secretary of the Industrial and Commercial Union (ICU-Ghana), Mr. Morgan Ayawine, has urged members of Absa Bank Ghana Limited ICU Local Union to collaborate with management of the bank to increase productivity and maximise returns for the sustainability of the bank that will benefit the workers.
“I, therefore, charge you as a union to be circumspect, sincere and honest in your relationship with management to ensure harmonious co-existence that will materialise in the achievement of the bank’s goals and expectations of the union for better service conditions.”
The ICU General Secretary was addressing the Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of the local ICU of Absa Bank in Accra with the theme: ‘The Bank’s Sustainability, the Union’s Concern’ which will enable it take stock of their stewardship the past four years.
According to Mr. Ayawine, the nation has made great strides in its quest for industrial democracy, and as a result, capital and labour are now equal partners. And as such, one party in the equation cannot and should not impose its parochial will over the other, but together collaborate on equal terms in an atmosphere of industrial peace and harmony.
He disclosed that for a local union to survive in spite of the myriad of challenges, notably COVID-19 pandemic, and come out with united front is indeed commendable.
The General Secretary, however, asked the union to advise management of the bank not to circumvent the sanctity of the Collective Agreement and the Labour Act 651 (2003) relating to staff on any issues concerning service conditions and employment. In matters of discipline, grievances and disputes resolution, management should not take unilateral decisions but act on the basis of the Collective Agreement and Labour Act.
Mr. Ayawine implored the delegates to be discerning in the choice of leadership for the union by personally considering and assessing the capabilities of the persons they are bidding for, and how their abilities can influence Union-Management relationship in positive terms of both local and national levels to enable members feel represented, and their job security assured.
