The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has urged the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) to reconsider its decision to strike.

It encouraged CLOGSAG to return to the negotiation table for a timely resolution of their concerns.

The Commission also emphasized that the Government is committed to finding lasting solutions to CLOGSAG’s demands while maintaining the principles of the Single Spine Pay Policy.

“The attention of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has been drawn to a press release issued on November 4, 2024, by the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOSGAG), indicating their intention to embark on a nationwide strike action effective Thursday, November 7, 2024.
“The demand by CLOGSAG for a New Salary structure and other Conditions of Service was initially submitted to the Office of the Senior Presidential Advisor by the leadership of CLOGSAG for consideration and approval”.
Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC)

The Commission added that a Technical Committee, consisting of members from both the Government Team and CLOGSAG, was established by the Senior Presidential Advisor to examine CLOGSAG’s proposed salary structure.

The Commission noted that in a communique issued by CLOGSAG on July 12, 2024, the Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG expressed that both parties demonstrated commitment to resolving key issues related to the salary structure for Civil and Local Government Service staff.

The FWSC emphasized that the Government has been actively exploring alternative ways to address CLOGSAG’s demand for a new salary structure that aligns with existing pay policies.

This approach considers the principles governing Base Pay negotiations and the 2011 High Court ruling in the case Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana vs. National Labour Commission and Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.

According to the Commission, this ruling prevents CLOGSAG from opting out of the Single Spine Pay Policy.

The Commission further expressed disappointment that, despite ongoing discussions by the Technical Committee with CLOGSAG, the association issued a strike notice on October 22, 2024.

Meanwhile, CLOGSAG cited the fact that “several meetings had been held on the matter without any firm offer from the Government side”, as the reason for the strike.

Government Presents Proposal to Address CLOGSAG Concerns

The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission noted that during a meeting on October 30, 2024, the Government Team presented an alternative proposal to address CLOGSAG’s concerns, which CLOGSAG requested to have in writing.

According to FWSC, demonstrating its commitment to the process, the Government Team provided the written proposal the same day, as requested.

The Commission added that CLOGSAG has not yet responded to the Government’s proposal, making it surprising to see a strike notice issued by CLOGSAG when discussions have not reached an impasse

“We wish to also state that CLOGSAG, is aware of the existence and mandate of the FWSC but deliberately decided to undermine the mandate of the FWSC by channeling its demands through the Office of the Senior Presidential Advisor for approval, contrary to Section 2 of the FWSC Act 2007 (Act 737).
“A case in point is when CLOGSAG decided to opt out of the Single Spine Pay Policy by going to court in 2011 (in the case indicated above) but lost the case. We observe that it is CLOGSAG’S strategy to achieve its objective of opting out of the Single Spine Pay Policy, that is why it has adopted various tactics, including the demand for a new Salary Structure”.
Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC)

The Commission also stated that CLOGSAG has repeatedly disregarded the authority of the FWSC’s Chief Executive, Ing. Benjamin Arthur, including walking out of meetings without cause, engaging in verbal attacks during discussions, and calling for his dismissal.

Such actions, along with CLOGSAG’s refusal to attend scheduled meetings, FWSC indicated, undermine the state institution responsible for managing the Government Pay Policy.

The Commission added that CLOGSAG’s assertion in a press release that it “has decided to have nothing to do with the Chief Executive of FWSC” reflects bad faith, especially given that the Chief Executive has made multiple efforts to engage CLOGSAG.

According to the Commission, CLOGSAG’s decision to ignore FWSC and its leadership stems from viewing the Commission as an obstacle in its pursuit of opting out of the Single Spine Pay Policy.