"Disobedience spoils relations" - MD

Accra, Sept 8, GNA - Management of the Superlock Technologies Limited, an Accra-based company, has locked out workers of the company for insubordination but employees contend that the action is meant to prevent them from forming a trade union. Mr Yaron Tal, Managing Director of the Company that deals in information technology equipment, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that in as much as management welcomes the formation of a union, it would not tolerate those who decide when to resume and stop work according to their will.

Accra, Sept 8, GNA - Management of the Superlock Technologies Limited, an Accra-based company, has locked out workers of the company for insubordination but employees contend that the action is meant to prevent them from forming a trade union. Mr Yaron Tal, Managing Director of the Company that deals in information technology equipment, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that in as much as management welcomes the formation of a union, it would not tolerate those who decide when to resume and stop work according to their will. He said those workers who were locked out assumed some airs as a result of unionization and stopped work when it was not yet lunch time. They also handed over the keys of company vehicles and offices to the security, thereby bringing operations to a halt. Mr Tal said the workers, including some drivers, a storekeeper and factory hand were cautioned several times but refused to heed to advice. He added that when a warning letter was written to them they refused to take delivery of the letter, and with threatening behaviour amidst war songs and the waving of red flags. Under these circumstances, management decided to refuse them entry into the premises for the sake of safety. "I cannot prevent them from forming a union, but they should behave properly by conducting themselves in conformity with the rules and regulations of the company," Mr Tal said, adding " it is O.K. if they ask permission but they did not." A spokesman of the affected workers told the GNA that some members of management had said the company needs no trade union.