Business News of Friday, 19 November 2004

Source: GNA

ICAG gets first Union in 40 years

Accra, Nov. 19, GNA - A local branch of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) was on Friday inaugurated at the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana, the first time the workers are being affiliated to a union since the Institute was established some 40 years ago.

There was shout of joy when the five-member Executive took the oath of office to conduct the affairs of the Union in the next two years. Addressing members, Daniel Ayim-Antwi, General Secretary of TEWU, said a peaceful industrial environment was necessary to push the country's economic recovery on track.

He asked both management and union members to seek harmonious ways of resolving issues affecting them instead of being confrontational. Mr Ayim-Antwi said the Union would soon submit to management proposals for Collective Bargaining and general conditions of service for workers for consideration.

He urged the workers to conduct their affairs within the confines of the law, saying that every right must go with a responsibility. Mr Felix Biga, Registrar of ICAG, said real and effective union must go beyond fighting and antagonism to get problems resolved. He said a productive union could be a push for management in forging transformation at the workplace.

Mr Emmanuel Yirenkyi, Chairman of the Union, said the Union would provide the opportunity for the exchange of ideas and open up channels of communication for dialogue.