The Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) has signaled it will no longer tolerate actions of employers that contravene laid down procedures in the termination of appointments. The union cites rural and community banks as most culpable in disrespecting workers’ rights. Ashanti Regional Industrial Relations Officer, Simon Baba Alottey says the Union has observed increasing abnormalities in the implementation of collective agreements between labour and management. He told Luv FM employers who deliberately breach industrial harmony by depriving staff of their rights would be resisted. “We are guided by collective agreements, duly signed and recognized by both parties. However, in recent times we’ve realized managements have decided to put this document aside and they’ll use their own methods that is pleasing to them in the areas of termination. “You know when you are terminating somebody, it’s no mean punishment; it means you’re putting the person out of job and you’re indirectly saying that ‘go and die’. So if you don’t go through the laid down processes then you’re disrespecting the Union”, Mr. Alottey told Luv FM at the regional Annual General Meeting of ICU in Kumasi. He observed that managers who attempt to intimidate workers against unionization were, ironically, once union leaders. He however said the ICU was instituting measures to ensure unionized members in the region were active in the decision making process. Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh/Luv FM/Ghana