Tema (Greater Accra) 30 April ?99

The Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL) on Thursday advised the proposed Ghana Federation of Labour against joining the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) in this year's May Day celebrations at the Independence square.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Tema, Mr Wilson Agana, Chairman of the TDCL said that the Federation and its supporters: the Textile, Garments and Leather Employees Union (TEGLEU) must stay away because they have made attempts to divide the front of the TUC.

The TUC wants to celebrate this year's May Day peacefully and advised that to avoid any provocation all rival unions must stay away from the Independence square or any gathering of the TUC in the interest of peace.

Asked whether the decision was not an infringement on the democratic rights of others. Mr Agana answered that democracy and peace go together but where peace is likely to be threatened a good advice must be taken.

This year's May Day, being the last of the century will be celebrated in grand style.

Mr Agana said there would be a regional awards ceremony at the Tema International Trade Centre at Batsonaa, and a dinner dance later at the GBC club house where miss May Day will be crowned.

In another development, the TDCL has called for the removal of armed soldiers from the premises of Atlas Company Limited since the workers "are not at war "with the management of the company.

Mr Agana said it was wrong for the management of the company to bring in armed soldiers in a dispute between the workers and Mr Fred Ekuban, the Administrative Manager.

The armed soldiers were brought in after the dispute had been resolved and a settlement reached that a committee will be set up to go into allegations against Mr Ekuban after the May Day celebration.

Mr Agana said the TDCL believes that issues can be resolved at the negotiation table and would not allow workers to be intimidated with soldiers.