In what is described as a swift move, the management and workers’ union of Republic Bank Ghana Limited, formerly HFC Bank, today signed their Collective Agreement (CA) that aims at promoting maximum cooperation between the management and workers in achieving the goals of the bank.
Amidst excitement among members of management and the local union, the agreement and an accompanying Memorandum of Understanding were signed after mutual negotiations between the two sides.
It is the maiden CA to be signed by the bank after its recent change over from HFC Bank to Republic Bank.
Among other objectives, the CA which was crafted with the participation of the leadership of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) and labour consultants, Gamey and Gamey Group, offers the framework that guides the relationship between the workers and management.
It also stipulates the responsibilities of the parties, mechanisms for dispute resolution, and their commitment to work together for the progress of the bank.
The CA was collectively reached in less than a week and it is said to be one of the swiftest in the history of the ICU.
From the side of management, the CA was signed by Anthony Jordan, Managing Director of the bank, Frances Sallah-Brown, Head of Human Resource, Theodore Akyen Ayiah, Manager, Employee & Industrial Relations, and Austin Gamey, labour consult.
Those who signed on behalf of the union are Solomon Kotei, General Secretary of ICU, Emmanuel B. Benimah, Deputy General Secretary, ICU, Emmanuel Mensah, Local Union Chairman, and Emelia Adomako Ansah, Local Union Secretary.
In his remarks, Mr Jordan commended the union leaders for their cooperation and lauded the high level of maturity that characterised the negotiations.
According to him because Republic Bank operates in a highly unionised environment in Trinidad & Tobago, the bank is accustomed to that culture, adding that the management would continue to partner the union for the growth of the company.
He expressed optimism that the maiden CA would open more opportunities for sustainable cooperation in promoting the growth of the bank for the benefit of customers and shareholders.
Mr Kotei for his part commended the Management Director for honouring his promise of building a relationship with the union, and also lauded high level of transparency exhibited by the management during the negotiations.
The CA, he said, needs to be celebrated because apart from the speedy conclusion of negotiations, it showcases a great amount of goodwill from both sides with a clear commitment to achieve high performance and profitability.
He assured the management of their continued partnership to ensure the success of the bank, saying “without the employer, there is no union.”
Mr Gamey also described the CA as a novelty because a MoU that offers clarity on the provisions in the CA has been attached.
He urged the two sides to continue to share information and promote labour-management cooperation that would serve as the bedrock for an effective and productive relationship between the management and workers.
While Madam Sallah-Brown expressed delight and attributed the outcome of negotiations and finalisation of the agreement to the commitment of the partners, Mr Mensah assured the management of the immense contribution of the workers to propel the bank to the highest height in the industry.
By: Edmund Mingle/adrdaily.com
