Graphic unionised staff demonstrate to back demand for improved service conditions
Unionised staff of the Graphic Communications Group Limited yesterday staged a demonstration to express their reservation about what they described as management’s decision to “abandon the ongoing standing joint negotiation”.
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Consequently, they have given management a week’s ultimatum to resolve matters or they would advise themselves.
The workers, who wore red shirts and red bands, marched from the Mirror House (one of the offices of the company), opposite the headquarters, on the Graphic Road, shouting “Ashigbey must go,” “We don’t want insensitive leaders”, “Where is the benefit of the sacrifice we made”, “Emulate President Mahama and cut your salary.”
Peaceful march
The workers initially walked peacefully from The Mirror House to present a resolution to management, but that could not materialise as no member of management was available to receive it.
They later gathered at the entrance of the company, sang and danced to brass band music. This seemed to have calmed down their tempers temporarily.
When the staff were approaching the headquarters, management ordered the closure of the main gate and this compelled the staff to converge on the frontage of the company. Minutes after the gate had been locked, armed police personnel arrived at the scene.
The police ordered the staff to disperse because they did not have a permit to demonstrate, which was against the Public Order Act, but the staff insisted that until their resolution was received they would not disperse.
Resolution
As the tempo of the agitation heightened, the Director of Technical Services, Mr K. A. Kersi, walked over to the workers to receive the resolution from the Chairman of the local union, Mr Henry Addo.
The resolution among others, stated that the entire body of the Graphic local workers union, having met on November 22, 2013, at The Mirror House training room, expressed serious reservations about management’s decision to abandon the ongoing standing joint negotiations.
The resolution said the union had always been open to dialogue on all matters at different fora and therefore expected management and the union leadership to make significant progress within seven days.
“Failure to meet the deadline will leave the unionised staff without any option but to advise itself on the way forward,” it stated.
Management position
Meanwhile, the management of the company had, in a statement dated November 22, 2013, stated that “We regret to inform employees that after seven meetings, the Joint Standing Negotiating Committee has not been able to agree on a number of key financial items under negotiation.
“Management has exhausted its mandate and is unable to request a renewal from the Board of Directors because paying levels beyond the current rates proposed by Management cannot be sustained and will put the financial viability of the company in jeopardy.”
The statement said consequently, the management had decided to seek third party intervention to resolve all outstanding issues, in accordance with the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651)
The management urged “all employees to remain calm during this period.”