Mr Kofi Asamoah, Secretary General of Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) on Thursday urged the
leadership of Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) to attract their colleagues in the private universities to help strengthen improved working and living
conditions.
In addition, they should work hard to make the Federation attractive to members by developing the appropriate structures in conformity to the constitution and internal regulations of GTUC.
Mr Asamoah made the call at the induction of Officers and presentation of Certificate of Affiliation of FUSSAG to the GTUC in Accra.
FUSSAG becomes the 18th Public Sector Organisation to be affiliated to the GTUC.
Mr Asamoah said GTUC since its inception in 1945, had sustained its commitment of advancing the socio-economic,political interest and aspirations of affiliated unions and their
membership, while drawing attention to their obligations as working people.
He said the modest gains achieved over the years were largely due to workers’ commitment and determination to work together as a labour movement to secure and promote the aspirations of
working people.
Mr Asamoah said FUSSAG had joined the labour movement at a time when the GTUC sought to further professionalise its operations, reach out and maintain constant touch with its members in order to provide services more efficiently and
effectively.
He said the challenge, therefore, was FUSSAG’s transformation into a trade union which should help it to operate within structures, regulations and the strategic development plan of
the GTUC.
Mr Asamoah said the challenge of globalization, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was daunting as they were
reshaping the way work was done in terms of number of workers, equipment and technology.
He said there was the need for a renewed and concerted effort by employers and workers in Ghana to work together for their mutual survival and development.
“As a trade union you should actively be involved and be concerned about the issue of productivity at the workplaces,” he added.
Mr Asamoah said the issue of productivity and remuneration should be dispassionately and objectively discussed by workers and employers at the workplace to arrive at a common position
which would enable all and sundry to participate to better their collective lot.
Mr Alex Bonney, Chairman of GTUC called for unity among members of FUSSAG to ensure the smooth running of the union.
He cautioned the FUSSAG leadership against complacency since joining a labour union had attendant challenges and problems which they must strive to resolve peacefully.
Mr Alex Kyei Baffuor, President of FUSSAG, receiving the Certificate, assured the leadership of GTUC of their commitment to the labour union and promised to live up to expectation.
He said FUSSAG formed in Kumasi in the 1980’s, recently adopted two major resolutions to enable them to affiliate with the GTUC and adopt its constitution.
Membership of FUSSAG include the senior staff of University of Mines and Technology (UMAT) at Tarkwa, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Kumasi, University of Cape Coast (UCC), University of Ghana (UG),
Legon University of Development Studies (UDS), Noguchi Memorial Institute, Legon (NMI) and University of Education, Winneba (UEW).