Industrial and Commercial Workers Union concerned about formation of splinter groups

The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union, ICU, says the formation of splinter unions in recent times is not healthy for a strong united labour front. 

According to the ICU, the focus of union leaders should be the promotion of mergers, where unions will be well positioned to negotiate better working conditions for workers. 

The Deputy ICU General Secretary in charge of operations, Morgan Ayawine said this at a forum in Accra to mark the 56th Anniversary of the formation of the union. 

The ICU was formed on the 25th of May, 1960 following the mergers of five unions. 

The focus was to set the pace for other smaller and splinter unions to emulate, since mergers help to build progressive and strong unions. 

This year's ICU Day was dedicated to breast cancer awareness creation and screening of other health issues for the public at Kokomlemle. 

The five Unions that merged to form the ICU on the 25th of May 1960 were Commercial and Allied Workers Union, General Clerical and  public Boards Employees Union, Printers and  newspapers Workers Union, Manufacturing and industrial Workers Union and Catering and  meat Cutters Union.  

The objective was to build a strong and futuristic National Union that could better serve its members and Ghanaian workers in general.  

The ICU as a pace setter for other smaller and  splinter Unions to merge, finds it unfortunate  that in recent times some Union leaders are spearheading the formation of splinter Unions at the detriment of unsuspecting workers.   

The Deputy ICU General Secretary, Morgan Ayawine noted that the worse forms of trade unions is the formation of In-house Unions which are formed and controlled by anti-union  and busting employers in some work organisations. 

He said the item has come for workers leaders to collectively halt this development and  rather focus on mergers of smaller and  splinter unions to form strong unions as demonstrated five unions that formed the ICU.  

According to him, the significance of the ICU Day cannot be over emphasized as it coincides  with the celebration of African Union Day.  

ICU-Ghana therefore identifies with the goals of the African Union to work towards the  socio-economic well-being of the working  class on the African continent.  

He said the ICU Day has also been dedicated to women in view of their contribution to nation building.  

He asked women not to be complacent with what they have achieved so far, but continue to assert themselves in a male-dominated world business and other endeavours.

GBC