By William Yaw Owusu
Wednesday, 02 April 2008
The tripartite committee set up by the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment to resolve the impasse between the railway workers and their management, will tomorrow come out with a communiqué on the issue.
A source at the Ministry told the Times yesterday that so far, the committee, made up of some members of the Interim Management Committee of the Workers Union, a Deputy Minister at the ministry and the acting Trade Union Congress (TUC) Secretary-General, has been able to resolve most of the issues at stake leaving three outstanding ones.
They include the date of resumption of work by the workers, salary arrears and the removal of the acting Managing Director of the Company, Mr Ruphus O. Quaye.
A member of the Railways Workers Union, serving on the committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity in a telephone interview, told the Times "things are now getting better. We are satisfied with what has transpired so far."
He said the committee has resolved to formalise the issues at stake by tomorrow, adding "we have worked with mutual respect".
The workers, led by their IMC, have since February 15 been on strike, demanding 150 per cent salary increase and the removal of the managing director, as some of their grievances.
Meanwhile, the National Labour Commission (NLC), has already instituted legal action at the Sekondi High Court against the IMC for the continued strike action.
The case which was called for hearing on March 31, has been adjourned to April 9.
The adjournment was at the instance of J.K. Mensah, counsel for the IMC, who asked for sufficient time to enable them to file their defence.
At the court on Monday, were thousands of the striking workers and their supporters wearing red protest bands around their heads, necks and wrists amidst brass band music, singing and dancing.
To contain the situation, the court had to mobilise policemen to restore law and order.
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