GAWU: Our Collective Bargaining Certificate is still valid

Accra, March 21, GNA - The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) of Trade Union Congress on Monday dismissed rumours alleging the cancellation of its Collective Bargaining Certificate covering workers of the Forestry Commission.

"We would like to assure our members that the purported cancellation of GAWU's collective bargaining certificate is false, baseless and should be ignored," it said.

A statement signed by Mr Samuel Kanga, General Secretary, said information reaching the headquarters Secretary indicated that some members of another union of were going round the various Forestry and Wildlife District alleging that the collective bargaining certificate that was issued to GAWU had been withdrawn.

GAWU described it was an attempt to bring its name into disrepute. The statement said GAWU was the appropriate and legal representative to conduct negotiations on behalf of the workers of the Forestry Commission and held the collective bargaining certificates covering the junior staff of the Commission.

GAWU cautioned its members to be on the lookout for such claims and demand from such people proof of who cancelled the certificate, when and grounds on which the certificate was allegedly cancelled.

"Members can also find out from the Acting Chief Labour Officer, who is also the Acting Registrar of Trade Unions and sole authority according to section 99(8) of the Labour Act 2003(Act 651) to issue as well as withdraw collection bargaining certificate, whether any such withdrawal or cancellation has taken place."