Public Services Workers Union To Strike Indefinitely From October 21

The Public Services Workers’ Union (PSWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has declared its intention to begin an indefinite strike starting Monday, October 21, 2024.

This decision follows unsuccessful engagements with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on September 24 and 25, 2024, concerning the request for Institution-Specific Allowances for PSWU member organizations.

In a press statement dated October 14, 2024, the PSWU emphasized that the request for these allowances was well-founded, highlighting the need to compensate member organizations under the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP). Despite efforts to resolve the issue, the union’s demands have not been met, prompting the strike action.

“It may be recalled that our request justified the urgent need to pay two Institution Specific Allowances (Government Support Services Allowance and Public Services Administration & Equity Allowance) to PSWU member organizations on the SSPP and who provide the invaluable public services that the Government delivers to Ghanaians.

“We further drew attention to the continuous erosion in the real value of our wages, the Government’s lack of commitment to conclude the review of the SSPP, and the discriminatory salary administration regime currently implemented by the government. Accordingly, the structures of our Union have decided to undertake a host of industrial actions to ‘secure our survival as workers’.”

On September 27, the union suspended an intended industrial action to pave the way for dialogue with relevant parties, however, consensus has not been reached since then.

“Following initial engagements with FWSC on 24th and 25th September, we, on 27th September communicated the temporary suspension of our planned industrial action to provide respite for all parties to engage in good faith with a view to reach some understandings within a fortnight. Since then, no further engagements have been held, neither have we reached any consensus on our request; let alone conclude on same.”

The union says it is left with no other choice but to strike, adding that if the issue is not resolved as expected, PSWU members on the Single Spine will activate an industrial action effective Monday, October 21, 2024.

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