ICU-Ghana congratulates Africans on AU Day

The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union, ICU, has congratulated Africans on the occasion of this year's AU Day and hoped African leaders will give priority to the welfare of the citizens in all programmes. 

In a statement to observe the Day, which also marks the 57th Anniversary of the founding of ICU, the Acting General Secretary, of the Union, Morgan Ayawine called for peace and unity among all workers and citizens on the continent alike.  

According to the ICU Acting General Secretary, peace is a necessary condition to attract increased investment which will create more job opportunities.

Mr. Ayawime said the ICU will continue to work towards harmonious working relations at all times to enhance productivity. 

On the 25th of May, 1960, the General Secretaries of five national unions Commercial and Allied Workers' Union, General Clerical and Public Boards Employees Union, Printers and Newspapers Workers Union, Manufacturing and Industrial Workers Union, as well as Catering and Meat Cutters union worked selflessly for the merger of their unions into a single national Union. 

This led to the formation of the “Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union (ICU) - Ghana. 

The Acting General Secretary of ICU, Morgan Ayawine said the selfless act of the five visionary General Secretaries must serve as a signal for smaller unions to pursue the path of merging  into one stronger union. 

He said the formation of smaller splinter and ineffective in-house unions only go to weaken the fibre of trade unionism. 

Mr. Ayawine stated that the vision and aspirations that the founding fathers of ICU-Ghana had then and which are still valid have not been in vain. 

ICU-Ghana he noted has metamorphosed into the largest heterogeneous trade union organization in Ghana today, championing the economic aspirations and improved social status of majority of Ghanaian workers. 

This he said, also calls for African countries to merge their economies by ensuring free trade among themselves. 

On the occasion of this year's AU Day and the 57th anniversary of ICU- Ghana, the leadership of the Union salutes all workers on the continent. 

It is the hope of the ICU that all citizens will continue to be patriotic and sacrifice, to build a better and prosperous Africa for the present and future generation. 

Mr. Ayawine assured employers of ICU's continued collaboration for increased productivity and profitability; insisting however, that the union will not relent in its demand for a fair share of the wealth workers help to create for the organisations.  

The ICU has been organising workers in various sectors of the economy including banks, non-bank financial institutions, mining and mining services, insurance companies, hotel, catering and allied undertakings, paper and printing industries. 

Others are general industries, textile, garment, leather and fur, metal and  automobile, professional and managerial staff, informal sector and  tourism.

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