The Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU) of Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) came into existence in September 1966, through the merger of the then three independent trade unions. These were Gold Coast Hospital Employees Union (GCHEU), Medical Field Unit Employees Union (MFUEU) and Environmental Health Employees Union (EHEU). The three independent unions which operated from 1944 to 1955 had merged into one trade union known as the Health and General Hospital Workers Union (HGHWU) in 1955. HGHWU became affiliated with the Ghana TUC in 1957. HGHWU operated as an autonomous union from 1955 to 1965 following an emergency National Delegates Conference in Kumasi in 1966. The name HGHWU was changed to HSWU.
HSWU is a Trade Union Organization within the Health Sector in Ghana. It is registered by Law and holds a collective Bargaining Certificate (CBC) that empowers it to do negotiations and collective bargaining on behalf of its over 40,000 membership. It has also been registered with the Registrar General's Department and holds a Certificate to Commence Business and a Certificate of Incorporation (can sue and be sued). Its Headquarters is at Hall of Trade Unions, Accra. The Union is affiliated to TUC (Ghana) and some Global Unions.
We envision HSWU, able to organize and recruit all paramedics and other health workers into a formidable organization with members getting job satisfaction to deepen industrial harmony for a better health care delivery.
To organize, protect, defend and educate all members to secure better conditions of service and job security through negotiations, collective bargaining and social dialogue to enhance productivity.
Members of HSWU are guided by values such as Professionalism, Teamwork, Discipline, Quality Health Service, Integrity, Excellence and Innovativeness.
* Some clinical professional cadre groups
* Health support staff and paramedicals e.g Ancillary/Auxillary, General staff
* Technical/technician and some Professional classes of health workers.
The Union in a cohesive manner ensures that the working rights of workers are protected through collective bargaining and negotiations. Some of the things the Union negotiates for include;
· Job security,
· Pay equity,
· Annual and Maternity leaves,
· Sick and study leaves,
· Fair wages and other conditions of service,
· Paid overtime,
· Health and Safety at the workplace,
· Settlement of grievances and disputes,
· Hours of work,
· Shifts systems.
The Union also educates members on the responsibilities of their employers and management and also impress upon members to observe and adhere to laid down rules and regulations and code of conduct at their workplaces
SERVICES
The Services rendered by the Union includes, but are not limited to;
· Negotiating improved remuneration and other conditions of service for members,
· Ensuring harmonious working relationship between Employers and Employees,
· Advocacy, Campaign and Lobbying on behalf of Health Workers,
· Provide education and training for members,
· Instituting and managing an HSWU Welfare Scheme for members to have a better retirement,
· Available Hostel Services in Tema and Tamale at a subsidized rate for members,
· Expert Advice on Job Evaluation and Revaluation in the public sector,
· Establishment and Management of the Health Sector Occupational Pension Scheme (2nd Tier Pension),
· Advisory Services to the members and employers in terms of employment (Industrial) Relations when the need arises,
· Negotiations for better Salaries/Conditions of service / Allowances for health workers in general (Eg. Category 2 & 3 Allowances),
· Printing of T-Shirts and Entertainment Funds for May Day celebrations,
· Printing and Distribution of Calendars and Dairies annually,
· Provision of membership ID Cards,
· Creation of industrial democracy within the workplace to ensure redistribution of power and freedom of expression,
· Promoting Social Justice and safeguarding of sustainable peace between the employers and the employees / among the workers in general,
· Building strong unity among health workers to ensure solidarity (togetherness), job satisfaction, etc.
· Rewarding hard-working members across the 10 regions of Ghana during May Day,
· Grievance/dispute handling at the workplace,
· Membership Exit Welfare Package,
· Provision of legal services for members against unfair labour practices & others when the need arises – Eg. is the case of the still-born baby at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital & the National Ambulance Service driver involved in an accident.
BENEFITS
Workers who join the Union derive the following benefits and opportunities:
· Receive Welfare Benefits package after retirement
· Pension Re-calculation
· Strong family bond and a sense of belongingness during celebration like the
Union's Week which is organized annually to showcase members contributions to healthcare delivery
May Day Celebration
· Opportunity to receive a regional or national award during the May Day Celebration.
· Union Cloth at subsidized rates
· Equal opportunity to take up leadership roles and be involved in decision making through a laid down democratic system at the branch, regional and national level.
· Job Security and eradication of workplace victimization
· The Union serves as the mouthpiece for members in times of trouble at the workplace
· Receive legal aid from Union on job-related issues
· Opportunity to receive calendars and diaries annually
· Receive May Day T-Shirt
· Enjoy Better Conditions of Service through Collective Agreement
· Receive Alternative Livelihood training