Workers who participate in illegal strike will be punished-TOR MD warns workers

Management of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), has warned that any worker of the company who participates in any illegal strike action or picketing will be dealt with according to the laws.

This follows an announcement made by the General Transport Petroleum Chemical Workers Union (GTPCWU) on Tuesday, April 18, of its intention to embark on a series of actions to back the distress call urging the revamp of TOR.

At a press conference held at the forecourt of TOR, the National Chairman of GTPCWU, Mr. Bernard Owusu,  said the industrial actions would precede the May Day celebrations.

Mr. Owusu hinted that workers plan to picket on the premises of the Ministry of Energy and other strategic locations as several calls and meetings with management and government officials yielded no result.

“At a time of ongoing financial distress and debt restructuring program, significant benefits of this magnitude in an essential commodity such as petroleum products should be top on the national agenda. Unless the managers of the country have no confidence in those they have appointed to manage the TOR facility. The state is responsible for and determines those who constitute the Board of Directors and the MD of TOR. Therefore, all past and current operational anomalies and challenges must be borne by the appointing authority of these key office holders, knowing very well that all operational controls are a function of management.”

But in a letter to the workers, the Managing Director of TOR, Jerry K. Hinson reminded workers that various procedures to address their challenges and grievances have not been exhausted, hence any attempt to embark on industrial action is unlawful and a breach of the Labour Act.

“Kindly be aware of the illegality of any such actions under clauses 168- 1 71 of the Labour Act and the consequences thereunder for participants/staff involved. Please be aware of section 171 in particular which emphasizes the term “picketing” which is only lawful in furtherance of a lawful strike/industrial action.

“Kindly be advised finally that participation of staff in any illegal action or picketing or indeed any act that purports to disrupt the activities of the Company or possibly undermine the authority of the Shareholder will be subjected to the prescribed ramifications under the relevant laws,” he added.