ADB Workers Declare Indefinite Sit-Down Strike

The Professional and Managerial Staff Union and the Local Union of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) have declared a sit-down strike.

The strike is to press home demands for the Board and Managing Director of the bank to step aside for a proper examination of issues of gross incompetence and corruption raised by the joint unions.

The strike is also to protest 'the failure of the appointing authorities to nominate external investigators to support the BoG (Bank of Ghana) to unravel the truth.'

Messages circulated Wednesday night by the two unions asking workers to wear red arm bands and ties, demanded that workers do not work but to observe a list of guidelines, including not to open the front doors to minimize agitation from customers; not to open the strong room to protect cash; and not to log in to their machines and systems.

Repeated calls by Graphiconline to several branches of the bank Thursday morning went unanswered, except the Nungua branch where a staff said they were working but directed that all enquiries be directed to the head office where communication officers were also not picking their calls.

The rallying messages by the leaders of the striking workers read:

'Good evening comrades, the hour is here, the time is NOW. With regards to the Board and Managing Director’s refusal to step aside for a proper examination of issues of gross incompetence and corruption raised by the joint unions and the failure of the appointing authorities to nominate external investigators to support the BoG to unravel the truth, we hereby declare a sit-down protest starting on the 28th of May 2015 till our shareholders do the needful. Gird your loins and be strong. We will be victorious because TRUTH always prevails.

Guidelines:
1. Do NOT open the strong room to protect our cash.

2. Do NOT open the front doors to minimize agitation from customers.

3. Do NOT log in to your machines and systems.
4. Communication will be via social media.
5. All external communication will be handled by the UNICOF Executive.

6. Be rest assured that the laws of our motherland allows us to protest when we are displeased with issues.

7. Kindly be in your red arm bands and ties maintain your composure and discipline

God bless us all as we stand for FREEDOM & JUSTICE.

PMSU/LU of ADB
ADB management responds, declares workers strike illegal

The management of the Agricultural Development Bank has however assured customers that all branches of the bank as well as the head office are opened for business.

A statement issued by the Communications & Public Affairs Unit of ADB Thursday said management's attention had been drawn to stories in the media about a supposed illegal sit-down strike by staff of the Bank being orchestrated by UNICOF and that the announcement was untrue.

Below if the statement issued by the bank

Agricultural Development Bank Limited wishes to inform and assure its numerous cherished customers and the general public that the all its Branches and head office departments are operating and are opened for business and rendering all banking and customer services.

Management's attention has been drawn to stories in the media about a supposed illegal sit down strike by staff of our Bank being orchestrated by UNICOF. Management wishes to inform the general public the announcement is untrue.

We hereby inform all cherished customers that the Bank is opened to business today and all its customers are encouraged to enter any of our over 78 branches to transact business.

History
There have been agitations at the state owned enterprise for some months now since news broke of management's intended public listing of the bank to seek capital injection into its operations.

The wholly-owned state enterprise has the Ministry of Finance holding 51.8% shares and the Bank of Ghana 48.2%.

Source: Graphic.com.gh