TUC under fire for calling off Nov. 18th strike

The decision by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to call off the planned November 18th nationwide strike and demonstration has drawn serious criticism from some labour unions.

According to the Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL), they are not in support of the decision and actions of the Chairman of the TUC, Kofi Asamoah.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, a member of the TDCL, Fredrick Ebo Quansah said the Chairman of the TUC did not consult the various unions that form the TUC before he called off the 18th November, 2013 planned strike.

“Per our structure if you activate the district council, you need to come back us and tell us, so that both can sit down and then evaluate the 25 percent and see whether if workers can actually pay and survive. Mind you the issue is water and electricity, it is not only about electricity; Kofi Asamoah only came out talking about electricity which has been reduced by 25 percent, which we have not accepted and that is not how the system operates.’’

Mr. Ebo Quansah further stated that the TUC chairman should have come to the TDCL to discuss the reduction before he confirmed the strike call off.

“As at now Kofi Asamoah has no right to per the constitution and the structures to go and then agree on any percentage without consulting the TDCL; we totally disagree with him and disassociate ourselves because that is not the mandate that is given to him.’’

‘’Before Kofi Asamoah will say anything on behalf of the workers of Ghana he must come back to the constituency to discuss the issue with us before…,’’ Mr Ebo Quansah emphasised.

He said as far as the Tema District Council is concerned, the strike will be coming on 18th November.

Also in disagreement with the action of the Chairman of the Trades Union Congress is the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union. The group like the TDCL has also expressed their dissatisfaction with Mr. Kofi Asamoah.

General Secretary of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union, Solomon Cottey said “the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union is really feeling peeved by the action of the Executive General of TUC, Kofi Asamoah.’’

He explained that, for the TUC chairman to issue a press statement all by himself is a betrayal of labour movement trust. “This is quite unfortunate and we are not taking it likely at all…’’

“The funny document we sited was on the internet and we do not know where it is coming from; that is not how it is done,’’ he lamented.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) boss, Kofi Asamoah on Sunday signed a press release calling off the November 18 nationwide labour strike.

Meanwhile a labour analyst, Kofi Davor has stated that the leadership of organized labour (TUC) should be commended for their good leadership and arriving at a consensus with government.

“I do not think my brothers and sisters at the Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL) and other district council of labour are suggesting that every decision that the leadership will make will have to be subjected to a kind of referendum.’’

“We should rather examine the substance of what they [TUC leadership] have done; I think they should be judged on the basis of their negotiations with government,’’ he said.
 
Source: Citifmonline