Trade Unions should look beyond bargaining � Deputy Secretary

Mr Morgan Ayawine, Deputy General Secretary of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) in-charge of Operations, has observed that the world of works have become more complex and competitive. Mr Ayawine said, to this end, the principles and practices of industrial relations transcend beyond the mainstream activities of collective bargaining and the handling of grievances. Time, he said, has therefore come for Trade Unions and their social partners to look beyond the industrial relations arena and extend their civic and social responsibilities to the medical service providers because of their important role in ensuring that the nation produces a healthy people who in turn can generate wealth to develop it. Mr Ayawine made the observation when the Tema ICU presented assorted items worth GHC5,000 to the Tema General Hospital. The items, made up of a refrigerator, beverages and detergents was presented to the hospital soon after members of the Tema Regional Secretariat of the ICU had embarked on a health walk on the theme; �Your health is Your wealth.� The Deputy Gen Sec stressed the need for the public to recognise the pivotal roles health service providers play in the nation�s socio-economic transformation. He was optimistic that the various institutions and organisations within the metropolis would embark on health walk exercises to create the kind of environment that would help deepen their relationships with healthcare providers. Mr Ayawine urged government to continue providing health institutions with the needed incentives, logistics and equipment to help motivate them to deliver quality services. Mr Eleazer Nii Nyaunu, Tema Regional Officer of the ICU, who made the presentation on behalf of members, said it was the Union�s widow�s mite to motivate the hospital to give of its best to the public. Mr Anthony Addai-Asante, Health Services Administrator received the gift on behalf of the management of the hospital and thanked the ICU for the kind gesture. Earlier, a medical team from the hospital had taken members of the Union through a screening exercise and advised them to adopt good health practices in order to stay healthy at all times. Mr Emmanuel Benimah, Deputy General Secretary of ICU in-charge of Administration and Mrs Philomena Mensah, Tema Regional Vice Chairperson of the Union were among dignitaries who took part in the health walk.