Workers in New Juaben support TUC moves to eject ICU

Koforidua, Feb. 5, GNA- The New Juaben Municipal Council of Labour (NJMCL) says the move by the Executive Board of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to eject the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) from the Hall of Trade Unions was in order.

In a five-point resolution passed at Koforidua on Friday, the MCL pledged their support for the decision of the Executive Board on the issue since it fell in line with Article 11 of the TUC constitution. The statement warned the ICU to vacate the Hall or "every possibly means should be used to eject them."

The resolution, signed by the chairman of the Council, Rev. Richard Yeboah, said the attitude and utterances by the General Secretary of the ICU, Mr Napoleon Kpoh, "clearly demonstrate his desire to bring the GTUC into disrepute to promote his personal ambition to head a Trade Centre like the GTUC".

It regretted that Mr Kpoh, "who has been nurtured by GTUC will now turn against the very hand that has fed him up to date".

In another development, the ICU, in a circular addressed to its local unions, accused the TUC of neglecting its members whenever problems cropped up and it was most needed.

It alleged, among other things, that, "when our members go on strike, it has always been the problem of ICU, TUC doesn't care''. The circular accused the TUC of supporting and facilitating the disintegration of the ICU.

To mobilise the support of its membership, the circular reminded them that, "we handle your disputes with management, TUC doesn't", "we negotiate for you, TUC doesn't", "We pay legal expenses on behalf of members, TUC doesn't".

According to the circular, "TUC is not bothered when employers are refusing to re-introduce or negotiate ESB", and questioned: "So what services is the TUC offering our Union to be taking our 30 per cent of dues."

It announced that with effect from January 1, 2005, local/PMSU share of dues had been increased to 20 per cent for improved local activity and called on its members to "remain resolute and united."