This document sets out a strategic plan for FUSSAG-UCC. It reviews strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities. It also presents a series of statements relating to the Association’s vision, mission, values and objectives, and sets out its proposed strategies and goals… click to download
Author Archives: fussagucc
UPDATES: ARBITRATION REPORTS
A Sod-Cutting Ceremony of FUSSAG village at Dwirakyim
The University of Cape Coast (UCC) branch of the Federation of University Senior Staff Associations (FUSSAG) has begun a housing project at Dwirakyim in the Komenda-Edina- Eguafo-Abrem Municipality for its members. The project dubbed “FUSSAG-UCC Village” will provide accommodation for members of the Union who purchased plot of land at the Dwirakyim Community. The FUSSAG Village”, is being developed on a 200-plot land, already been sold out to members. The first phase comprising 20 buildings would consist of three bedroom and four bedroom flats at the cost of GHȻ 70,000.00 and GHȻ 80,000 per unit respectively, on demand basis. The first phase of the project is to be completed within 12 month. The project is being pre-financed and constructed by A.K.A Consult, while interested members would pay through a 10-year mortgage plan. The company pre-financed a similar housing project for the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Branch of FUSSAG.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. John Nelson Buah who broke the grounds for the start of the project, commended the association for the initiative and underscored its importance to both the university and FUSSAG members. He commended FUSSAG for taking such a giant step to provide affordable housing project to provide decent accommodation to its members. He admitted that the University was seriously handicapped in the area of providing accommodation to staff and therefore, the project was a sigh of relief to management, stressing that “You have really shown the University the way to go and I am proud of your foresight.”
Prof. Buah recounted instances he could not offer assistance to the request from some staff who had genuine accommodation problems. He seized the opportunity to call on the contractor to provide quality work and also deliver the first phase of the project within the stipulated period. He finally thanked the chief of the community for making the land available to FUSSAG adding “Any chief that want the learned around his community is progressive a leader”
The Chairman of FUSSAG-UCC, Mr. Daniel Egyir described the commencement of the project as a dream come true. He said the idea, conceived two years ago, was aimed at reducing the accommodation burden on the university management.
He noted that the project was in fulfilment of a promise by the executives of the union to provide affordable houses to minimise the burden of management concerning issues of accommodation. He observed that there had been several instances where members of the union mounted pressure on him for allocation of the limited University accommodation.
Mr. Egyir pointed out that the union therefore embarked on the housing project to solve the accommodation challenges members face in the University. He also expressed appreciation to Alpha Hands for facilitating the release of large parcel of serviced plots for members of the union to purchase. He further thanked AKA Consult for responding to the request of the Union to construct the houses at FUSSAG Village at reasonable prices and flexible terms of payment.
Dr. Kweku Gyasi Badu, Deputy Registrar of the Division of Human Resource, UCC, who chaired the function, also commended the association and charged the developers to deliver quality work and also work within schedule.
The chief of the Dwirakyim, Nana Dwira (V) assured FUSSAG and the contractor of the project of his support. He prayed for God’s blessings for the successful completion of the project. The immediate former Secretary of FUSSAG, Mr. Emmanuel Aidoo advised the executives of the Union to partner management to ensure the sustainability of the project without unnecessary delay or interference in the event of change of leadership. He remarked that “I am very excited to witness this sod-cutting ceremony which signifies the realization of the long awaited dream of FUSSAG.”
Present at the function were : College Registrar, College of Health and Allied Sciences Mr. Gordon Mensah, representatives of Alpha Hands, AKA Consult-contractors for the project and some members and executives of FUSSAG.
Compiled by Emmanuel Aidoo (Secretary )- FUSSAG
FUSSAG UCC Progress Report 2014
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.
Chairman’s Report – Daniel Egyir
General Secretary, Fellow Executive members of our Great Union FUSSAG, Invited Guests, members of FUSSAG UCC, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very happy to stand today to give you the Executve Committee’s Report. First of all let me thank you all for attending this important Annual General Meeting of our local. Also want to thank the National Officers, other local executives from other campuses and my own executives for effectively working hard to sustain our union till date inspite of our unresolved grievances with Fair Wages & Salaries Commission and Government which had taken a long time to be resolved. We also apologies for the delayed in organizing this meeting, but as is said, its better late than never.
The year 2013 and 2014 were challenge once for FUSSAG as a union and by the grace of God we were able to go through the years successfully. FUSSAG UCC had become one association that was able to contribute its quota to the development of the mother union and the university as a whole. We were also able to serve our members well and provided all that they needed in terms of benefits.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the year saw some of our members being appointed as Senior Members and we say congratulation to them, again we added to our membership new members who were either promoted or appointed as Senior Staff from junior staff level or outside, we say welcome to you all.
Activities Undertaken
First, for the first time the association organized Retreat for it Representatives from the Schools, Faculties, Directorate, Halls of Residence, etc at Manna Height Hotel, Mankessim which saw the inauguration of the Executive Council which was the second decision body after Annual General Meeting. We were able to demarcate the University into 20 constituencies with each representative representing each constituency in the university. Even though some of the Reps are performing well others are not working as expected and we pray that we will all work to serve our members well. The Reps are the channel through which information are send to members and entreat all members to make sure their Reps deliver the needed information to you. We have also able to inaugurate our Womens Wing with new executives being sworn in and number of meetings had been held with female reps from various schools, faculties, etc.
Second, we started issuing Indentures to those who had finished paying for their land at Peshie and also allocated their plots to them. This we think was in fulfillment of our promise of allocating land to our members. We currently had prepared other indentures for our members and are ready for collection and others are still being prepared. We thank members who had confident in us and bought the land and hope you will not regret buying the land at FUSSAG Village. We hope by the next 4 to 5 years the area will be developed and habitable for all. For the Housing Project we have currently undertake the necessary preparatory works by providing Borehole, installed Transformer and extend electricity lines to the land awaiting the commissioning of power by the Electricity Company of Ghana and the Developer had constructed it temporary office. We are also seeking permit from the appropriate agencies to start the project. It is our hope that by early next year the Sod-cutting will be done to start the full construction of the houses. We apologies to those who have started paying and promise that God willing next year the construction will start. Those who have not subscribed should do so now before it became too late for you.
Third, we were able to organized our first AGM successfully and our stewardship was presented to you and members were happy. We hope to continue to operate an open door administration and transparency to you within our term of office.
Fourth, for the first time the association was able to solely organized a successfully demonstration and its onward two months strike to drum home our demand for the four issues raised with Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and University Management. This we probed to all that FUSSAG was due for Market Premium, Risk Allowance, Electricity rebate and others. Eventhough our issues are still pending with delays from FWSC and others we are still not losing hope and are still fighting to get what we want. Currently FWSC are ready to pay the Electricity rebate to Principals and Chiefs. Also for the Risk Allowances, we had done the re-evaluation and discussed the results with FWSC and are waiting for the Report that will give the approval. The market premium and 15% Special Allowance are being sent to Mediation. We want members to be patient and wait for us to conclude discussions on all the issues.
Fifth, the Association was able to acquire its own Tayota Hiace to transact it activities and assist members who needed the vehicle for their programmes. I want to state that this vehicle had helped us much and had made our work effective and efficient. We thank all of you for your support in getting this useful asset and promise to maintain it for it to last longer.
Sixth, we have gone far with our intended construction of the Washing bay and Office on campus. The two project had delayed due to the change of places that we plan will get and the University not allowing us to get those places. But currently we have been promised place behind the Old Site Taxi rank for the washing bay and near the Zenith Bank for the Office Complex. But the decision of the Executive Council (Reps) is that we can rent a room from the UCC Credit Union building and use as temporary office.
Seventh, on the 2nd Tier Pension Scheme as you are aware FUSSAG as a Union took a bold decision to register when we saw that VCG was delaying and even got our provisional license. But VCG later saw the need to get involved and meetings were held with us to allow them to take charge of the registration and we agreed. As I speak a new Board had been formed with representatives from FUSSAG, TEWU, GAWA, UTAG and VCG. We have currently selected our Fund Managers, Custodians, Consultant and Administrators. With the case of whether Government should take charge or not is now at Court and we are waiting for the ruling. Also the University will seek interpretation as to join Government policy or not since we are autonomous. Whatever happens will be communicated to members.
Last but not the least, is the invitation to join TUC Ghana to attend the 103th International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. A lot were learned at the conference in term of labour issues and relationship with Government and Employers. We hope more of these conferences will be attended to increase understanding about labour relations and others. Some Executive members were also able to attend TUC Educational programmes and Ghana Employers Association training workshops. We also organized 3-day Training Workshop for all Senior Staff in the University with collaboration with Training and Development Section.
The Union thanks our out-going Secretary, Bro. Emmanuel Aidoo, very much for his effort and ideas in bringing our union to this stage. We appreciate his contributions, and selflessness he exhibits in the work he did. We will forever remember him as one of the greatest FUSSAG member of our time. May God bless you and your family especially your supporting wife.
Great FUSSAG members let me say that the executives appreciate your support especially the Reps in this hard times and hope that we will continue to work harder to make all members happy.
Thank you and God bless us all.
Long live FUSSAG, long live UCC, Long live Ghana.
DANIEL ARTHUR EGYIR
CHAIRMAN
Executive Committee’s Christmas Message to Members
Greetings to all Great FUSSAG Members of University of Cape Coast.
Once again another year is about to end and Christmas is here with us. We thank God for how far He has brought us and our Union, inspite of the challenges we went through. The year 2014 saw the union continue to pursue it grievances with Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and Management and the effort we put in to reach the stage that we are in now, as reported at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). We tried also to undertake other activities and project to improve the welfare of all members and members who were due for benefits were paid including weddings, funerals, change of status, retirement, medical care, etc.
This year also saw more of our members solemnizing and blessing their marriages and we say God bless all these marriages and may they bear fruits from those marriages. Some members also lost their parents and we console them all. The Union lost a member and we console the family, may God be with us all.
For the Executives we think a lot had been done to make FUSSAG UCC one of the best association in Ghana but we accept the fact that there is still more room for improvement and ask you all to pray for us to get more strength and wisdom to undertake this work. We are still open to criticisms and members are free to give their comments, ideas and support to make us move forward. We thank all who counseled and supported us to be where we are especially the Representatives, we say God bless you.
We thank all those that we have been working with including the University Management, Directorate of Finance, Division of Human Resource, Training and Development Section, Central Stores, Ghana Commercial Bank, Agricultural Development Bank and those we could not mentioned.
In conclusion, we wish you Happy and Enjoyable Christmas and prosperous New Year.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL
DANIEL ARTHUR EGYIR
(CHAIRMAN)
FUSSAG should remain united- College Registrar
The College Registrar of the College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast Mr. Joseph Gordon Mensah has urged the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG) to remain united. He was speaking at the inauguration of the women’s wing of the University of Cape Coast Branch of FUSSAG.
The inauguration was also attended by the Registrar of the University of Cape Coast, Mr. J. K. Nyan and the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nelson Buah. Prof. Nelson Buah, speaking on behalf of the Management of the University, reminded the newly sworn-in executives to always see themselves as part of FUSSAG. He advised them to guard against taking decisions that would conflicts with the decision of the executives of the union.
The General Secretary of FUSSAG, Mr. Jacob Emmanuel Eshun swore in the new executives and urged them to strive to take up leadership positions in FUSSAG and other public institutions.
Representatives of various women groups on the campus of the university were invited to the inauguration. The President of UCC Ladies, Ladies Club and the Adehye Hall attended the inauguration.
FUSSAG participates in International Labour Conference
The International Labour Conference is currently underway in Geneva, Switzerland. The Conference is organised annually by the International Labour organisation (ILO). As is the practice, all 185 member states are represented by a tripartite team made of labour delegation, government delegation and employers delegation. The Federation of Universities Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG) by virtue of being an affiliate of the Trades Union Congress is part of the TUC delegation.
The General Secretary, the Chairmen and Secretaries of the University of Ghana (UG), University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the University of Science and Technology (KNUST) are participating in the Congress following their nominations by the Secretary General of TUC, Ghana.
The Conference brings a tripartite delegation from 185 member states to discuss international labour issues. Delegates serves on various committees to discuss international labour issues. It is also at that conference that new conventions are adopted. During proceedings, application of international labour standards in the respective member states are discussed. Cases of violation of ILO Convetions are accordingly heard, among other activities.
Moratorium on salary increment is untenable and will worsen the welfare of the Ghanaian worker- General Secretary of FUSSAG
The Federation of Universities Senior Staff of Ghana (FUSSAG) has described the proposed moratorium on the salary increment in the year 2014 as untenable in view of adverse economic conditions that have eroded the value of wages and salaries of the Ghanaian worker. This was contained in a statement to the press issued on Monday, 14th April, 2014 and signed by the General Secretary, Mr. Jacob Emmanuel Eshun.
The statement reminded the government that any agreement to adjust wages and salaries is informed largely by cost of living. The statement admitted that, productivity is one of the factors that influence wage determination; there is no evidence to suggest that productivity in the public sector has worsened. According to the Mr. Eshun, the proposal to freeze salary adjustment is reprehensible to the extent that it will worsen the welfare of the citizenry.
“The Federation of Universities Senior Staff Associations of Ghana will resist any attempt to freeze salary increment. Such a decision will be arbitrary and not in the interest of our hardworking members who make considerable sacrifices in the course of duty. The low salary levels of University staff still remains unaddressed, hence any attempt at freezing increment will cause more harm than good”, the statement concluded.
Full statement
The Federation of Universities Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG) of Trades Union Congress is dismayed by the intention of the government to freeze salary increment in the year 2014. The decision to freeze salaries increase is untenable in view of the adverse economic conditions that have eroded the value of wages and salaries of the Ghanaian worker. It is our considerable opinion that any attempt to freeze salary and wage increment will worsen, rather than advance the welfare of Ghanaian worker.
We wish to remind the government that any agreement to adjust wages and salaries is informed largely by cost of living to compensate for the resultant erosion of the value of wages and salaries. Albeit, productivity is one of the factors that influence wage determination, there is no evidence to suggest that productivity in the public sector has worsened. The use of the budget deficit to justify the freeze in wages and salaries cannot be accepted.
We wish to draw the attention of the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning to the basic fact that ultimate aim of any economic decision or policy is to improve the welfare of the citizenry. Any policy that obviously worsens the welfare of the Ghanaian worker is therefore reprehensible. We wish to posit that any freeze on salary increment in 2014 will not be the panacea to the current economic challenge, but will rather create more problems for the country. The intention must be stayed to allow the Public Services Joint Standing Negotiation Committee (PSJSNC) negotiates the 2014 minimum wage and base pay.
The Federation of Universities Senior Staff Associations of Ghana will resist any attempt to freeze salary increment. Such a decision will be arbitrary and not in the interest of our hardworking members who make considerable sacrifices in the course of duty. The low salary levels of University staff still remains unaddressed, hence any attempt at freezing increment will cause more harm than good.
Mediation process on market premium for senior staff of public universities starts
The mediation process on payment of market premium to senior staff of public universities in Ghana started on Tuesday, 11th March, 2014 in Accra. This follows a directive issued by the National Labour Commission (NLC) on 18th December, 2013 after a facilitation process. The mediation process started in spite of the expiration of the 28thFebruary, 2014 deadline given by the Commission.
Representatives of parties to the mediation process namely, the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Associations of Ghana (FUSSAG) and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) were present. The Chairman of the Vice Chancellors Ghana (VCG), Prof. Ernest Aryeetey and the Executive Secretary of VCG, Mr. Peter Kaba were also present.
The mediator introduced the grievance and sought initial clarifications from the parties. The mediator asked parties to exchange the necessary documents and accordingly adjourned hearing to Tuesday, 18th March, 2014.
The mediator indicated that the three hearings will be adequate for the process after which parties may opt for voluntary arbitration if the grievance remains unresolved.