Fire the workers if they refuse to negotiate - GCPP leader

As Labour Unions in the country continue to engage in a ‘fight’ with government over the management of their Tier Two Pension Scheme, Chairman and leader of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) Dr. Henry Herbert Lartey is asking the employer to dismiss the workers if they refuse to negotiate.

According to the 2012 Presidential candidate, the labour unions are taking Ghanaians for granted by always using strike as a means to press home their demands.

Dr. Lartey describes the strike as “wicked” and unprofessional, because it is leaving the average Ghanaian market woman, shoemaker, farmer, and student stranded. He says this is certainly not a good moment for parents who have wards in public basic schools and patients in various hospitals.

The workers announced on Tuesday they are suspending their strike after three weeks, but work is yet to normalize.

Dr. Lartey broke his silence on the issue when this reporter chanced on him in his community struggling to explain issues to angry parents who have wards in public basic schools. He admits it’s certainly not a good moment for parents who have wards in public basic schools after struggling tooth and nail to pay school fees, and watching their children idle about.

Dr. Lartey asserted that these unions are gradually making Ghana ungovernable, by showing gross disrespect to the ordinary Ghanaian and the international community which supports the nation’s economy.

“If you think you are no longer interested in your job, sojourn and come and join politics since you guys believe that this is where money is and they are being paid well than you. The politician only enjoys four years in power and the little ex-gratia he takes home has turned to subject of discussion for labour unions comparing themselves with politician’s what an unprofessional behavior,” he said.

The GCPP Chairman believes government is treating these labour unions with kid gloves instead of descending hard on them.

He was also quick to support Ghanaian workers with MODEC, who operate on FPSO Kwame Nkrumah at the Jubilee Oilfield in the Western Region for expressing their dissatisfaction with the discrepancy between their salaries and that of expatriate staff.

According to Dr. Lartey, their demonstration was a call in the right direction instead of going on strike. He says they demonstrated professionalism and faithfulness to save their country unlike the labour unions.