INTRODUCTION

It is clear that the Unions make a big difference in the work place. By the end of the year 2013, the association initiated many programmes to be embarked on, in the year 2014.FUSSAG made a lot of progress despite the numerous challenges encountered within the year.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Infrastructure

The year 2014 was a fruitful year, the Union was able to secure over 200 plots of land for its members and preparations are far advanced for the commencement of the building project for individual who purchased the land. As part of the project earmarked to be embarked on within the year was a car washing bay and an office complex. Initial preparation in terms of physical designs of the office complex and the washing bay were completed as far back April 2014. Executives are doing follow-ups to secure a land within the University for the Construction of the two projects.
Conditions of service

In connection with the four major petitions tabled before Fair Wages and Salaries Commission for consideration, the Union, Universities management and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission met on several occasions to deliberate on the issues. FWSC came for job re-evaluation on various campuses to ascertain the level of risk members encounter . Unions and FWSC met to discuss the report of the re-evaluation the proposal was to consider the principal and chief technicians for such allowance. whiles that of the electricity rebate will go for all principal and chief staff. The market premium and the 15% special allowance is before arbitration , various parties are yet to agree on the arbitrators.

Job Re-evaluation

During the year, job re-evaluation was conducted by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to collect data on the eligibility of some staff who are exposed to excessive risk to be given risk allowance. The local executives gave the representatives from Fair Wages and Salaries Commission warm reception throughout their stay on UCC campus.

May Day Celebrations

The 2014 May Day Celebration was well participated members of FUSSAG UCC at Victoria park in Cape Coast.

Organised L abour’s Nationwide Demonstration

FUSSAG UCC was fully involved in the 24th July, 2014 nationwide simultaneous demonstration. The reasons for the protestation were: declining fortunes of the Tema Oil Refinery, the lack of effective rail transport and poor conditions of work for railway workers, the deteriorating economic situation, the declining cedi, the inefficient management of utility services and poor utility service delivery and the high and rising cost of the living.

Professional development

First in the history of FUSSAG, the management members (Chairmen and the secretaries) from three campuses namely: University of Cape Coast, University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology represented the Association in Geneva, Swizarland for ILO conference. This exposure has actually placed FUSSAG on the international platform.
The union also organized a successful three day workshop for its members. Last but not the least our former secretary Mr. Emmanuel Aidoo was elevated from the designation of principal administrator to Junior Assistant Registrar.

By-election

On Tuesday 11th November, 2014, consequent to the elevation of the former secretary to the position of Junior Assistant Registrar, the executive council held by-election to elect Mr. Sampson Amponsah Atiako and Mr. George Quarshie as secretary and a council member respectively.

Annual General Meeting

Later in the year the association held its Annual General Meeting to review the events of the year 2014 and also sworn in the secretary and a council member to their respective positions.

End of year package

We ended the year successfully with the distribution of end of year package.

CHALLENGES

As any human organization the association was not without challenges. The following challenges were encountered:

1.The acquisition of the land for the construction of a car washing bay and an office complex had not been successful.

2. Support from management in connection with the grievances submitted to fair wages and salaries commission was not forth coming.