Shipyard workers to lose pay for embarking on illegal strike

Accra, Feb. 2, GNA - The National Labour Commission (NLC) said on Monday the 219 workers of the PSC Tema Shipyard who went on strike over a dispute on a bonus tax in November 2008, will forfeit three day's salary. It had further directed the management of the Shipyard and the Union to report back to the Commission, the implementation of its decision on Wednesday, February 11, 2009.

A statement from the NLC signed by Mr. Mohammed Affum, Public Affairs Officer, on Monday, said the action by the workers, which started from November 18 to 20 2008, was illegal and therefore the forfeiture would enable management of the company defray part of the cost it incurred during the illegal strike. It explained that the Commission gave the ruling after it had considered a compliant by the Maritime and Dock Workers Union last year that, management of PSC Tema Shipyard had locked out workers for having embarked on an illegal strike action. It said the ruling was in accordance with Section 168 (2) of the Labour Act, which states the consequences of embarking on an illegal strike action.

On the status of workers on duty on December 2, 2008, who were interdicted following an assault on the Head of Finance of the company, the Commission decided that they should remain interdicted for investigations to be conducted in accordance with their collective agreement, adding however that interdiction letters issued to all workers who were not on duty that day should be withdrawn according to the ruling. The Commission also asked the management of the Shipyard, to be mindful of the "good faith" negotiations to ensure industrial peace and harmony in the enterprise.