Nestle workers on strike

Tema -- Five hundred workers of Nestle Ghana Limited in Tema on Monday withdrew their services following a break down in negotiations over new salary. Mr Christopher A. Nathan, Secretary of the local union told the press that workers were surprised when they reported for work this morning to find that management had pasted new workers' salary on the notice board.

"Negotiations for new workers' salary have not been concluded. Senior staff, who have no bargaining power, have been given 21 per cent increase and this is exactly what is causing the delay in negotiations.'' Mr Nathan said the workers were incensed when they saw the publication; they erected a canopy at the gate, blocked the entrance to the factory with a car and demonstrated.

They wore red bands, beat drums and sang Christian hymns interspersed with war songs. The workers, he said, would not return to work until negotiations resumed and an agreement on a new salary signed.

Some of the placards they carried read: "Positive Change A Must For Ghana Nestle Management", "Ghanaians Are Not Shit" and "Mr MD, Your People Have Failed You". Mr Nathan said that the union, led by Mr Morgan Ayawine, Regional Officer of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), had been negotiating since 25 January.

With regard to salaries, the union proposed 60 per cent while the Management started from 15 per cent. "The union has come down to 30 per cent while the Management has raised theirs to 21 per cent. We are still negotiating because we believe in dialogue."

Mr Nathan said the negotiations team had met 16 times over the past seven months and was to meet again. "The attitude of Management is a stab in the back of workers." Management could not be reach for their comment. Nestle produces Cerelac, Ceravita, Chokomilo, Milo, Magie Cube, Nescafe and Ideal Milk. The last time Nestle workers went on strike was in early 1990.