MARITIME AND DOCKWORKERS’ UNION OF THE TRADES UNION CONGRESS OF GHANA V. STATE SHIPPING CORPORATION (BLACK STAR LINE)

OSEI-HWERE J.

Consequent upon an industrial dispute which erupted between the Maritime and Dockworkers’ Union of the T.U.C. (Black Star Line branch) and the management of the State Shipping Corporation (Black Star Line,) the Commissioner for Labour and Social Welfare appointed Dr. Joe K. Ansere as the sole arbitrator. His terms of reference were, “to inquire into whether or not the workers who occupy houses owned by the Black Star Line should be paid 20 per cent rent allowance.” After he had concluded the arbitral proceedings the arbitrator made his awards in the following terms:

“I therefore award that the payment of the 20 per cent rent allowance to workers while occupying corporation houses should cease with effect from 30 April 1979...Although I feel the workers occupying Black Star Line houses should not receive the 20 per cent rent allowance, I am inclined to agree that the union has a case in demanding that the workers who had been residing in the corporation’s houses be allowed …