The Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, Mr Kofi Asamoah, has said that even though organised labour has rights, the rights go with responsibilities.
“You have the right to go on strike, but you need to know the procedures of going on strike, and how strike actions also affect stakeholders of your university” he told a six-member executive union team that was sworn in on Tuesday.
The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Tuesday inaugurated its local branch of the Federation of Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG).
A statement issued by Vera Akumiah, UPSA’s Deputy Director, Public Affairs and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said Mr Asamoah noted that organised labour constituted a formidable force, thus the need to build healthy relationships among all the union members.
“Your collective force is a weapon that can be harnessed for the development of your institution,” he said.
He urged the executive to build their capacities and ensure that they receive education on the labour laws, regulations and international labour conventions and practices.
He called for the active participation of all FUSSAG members, as well as collaboration with other unions that can together fight for their rights and hold their leaders accountable.
Mr Asamoah further admonished FUSSAG members to lead by example and eschew acts which could undermine the Union.
Professor Joshua Alabi, Vice Chancellor of the University in his remark said Management has established a cordial relationship with the various labour unions at the UPSA, adding that he expects the new union, FUSSAG to function in the same spirit of collaborative work.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the inauguration of FUSSAG was an opportunity for Management to continue to work with organised labour to ensure the development and progress of the University.
“Our fast-growing University is where it is today because of the combined efforts of all staff. We therefore need to focus on working hard, to attain the status of a first-class university,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasized the need for good leadership, saying, the executives should lead by example, to not only improve on the welfare of its members alone, but that of the entire university community as well.
FUSSAG is an Association made up of middle-level administrative and professional staff of public universities in Ghana.
Source: GhanaWeb
