Mr Augustine Saarkuur-Karbo,(rpt Saarkuur-Karbo) Deputy General Secretary of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has said the “Union is our heritage, born out of struggle, so unionists must work hard to protect it against disintegration.”

This, he said, calls for vigilance against those who through subtle means, try to infiltrate the ranks of unionists, with the evil intention to destroy or subvert the union.

Mr Saarkuur-Karbo made these remarks at the opening of the first phase of capacity-building workshop for newly-elected executives of TEWU, drawn from the Central, Greater -Accra, Eastern, Upper East, and Volta Regions.

Mr Saarkuur-Karbo said the recent move by some workers within the polytechnics to form an association was because of personal gains, but the new leaders must not fight them, adding that ‘TEWU considers those few groups as our members, and they will continue to enjoy under TEWUS’ collective bargaining certificate.”

He reminded the executives that have come to office at a time rife with challenges, but they should not be deterred.

Rather, he said, they should remain focused in achieving their mandate.

Mr Isaac Kweku Yannnet, Principal of the Ghana Labour College, who took the executives through fundamental trade unionism, urged them to consider deeply the merits and demerits of issues before taking any action, in order to ensure industrial peace and harmony.

He also charged them to be transparent at all times, and remain accountable to members, advising them to also involve members in decision-making.