The General Secretary of the Ghana Journalist Association Bright Blewu has allayed fears the proposed unionisation of the association will put undue pressure on employers to increase salaries. The Association in an attempt to improve standards has opted for a union and are looking to get a bargaining certificate to negotiate salaries for its members. But the proposal has drawn mixed reaction with some members of the Association accusing leadership of lacking focus. Haruna Atta, Editor of the Accra Daily Mail insists the move by the GJA leadership is wrong. He posits that any move to force employers of the industry to pay salaries which they do not have will effectively hamper progress. He explains that media owners are unable to pay high salaries because the industry is not making good returns and are even struggling to break even. Rather than apply for a union and a bargaining certificate, Haruna Atta told Joy News the GJA must implore advertisers to promptly pay their debts to media owners as quickly as possible. Editor of the Daily Guide News paper Gina Blay however disagrees with Atta. She said any move by the Association to improve the conditions of service of journalists as well standards is welcomed. In a reaction, the General Secretary of the GJA Bright Blewu told Joy News’ Dzifa Bampoh the decision to unionise the Association is not to wage salary war with employers. He explains the move is to improve standards in the industry, adding, the union will only “dialogue and not pressurise” employers on issues about salaries and other pressing matters. He expressed regrets that journalists who are at the fore front of publicising the poor conditions of service of other employees are themselves wallowing in rather precarious conditions themselves. He said the unionisation will promote the welfare of its members, adding, a better condition of service does not only mean salary increments. It should be possible for journalists to upgrade their knowledge and this must be facilitated by employers, Mr. Blewu suggested. He said the Association will not “harass” employers under this new policy. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana