FWSC Accuses Health Services Workers Union of “Unfair” Labour Practice

The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has accused the Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU) of “unfair” labour practice in their quest to embark on industrial action over “delay” in the negotiation of their conditions of service.

The Commission in a statement issued on November 8 accused the Union of causing the delay. It asserted that the notice of their strike action also amounts to intimidation.

“FWSC is of the view that this is an unfair labour practice and a show of bad faith. We call on the leadership of HSWU to retract the said press release and issue an apology. Threatening and intimidating a party despite all the goodwill that the Government has demonstrated amounts to bad faith, and the Government cannot be accused of any delays.”

It emphasized that it has at all times exhibited “great commitment” towards the negotiation of Conditions of Service for members of the union.

Contrary to the claim, it explained that after the submission of their proposal, the Parties signed Rules of Engagement on Wednesday in April 2024 to commence negotiations with several meetings taking place ever since.

It said the parties concluded the negotiation for its endorsement on October 9, 2024; however, at the tail end of the meeting, the Union made an appeal for its suspension with the justification that the “opinion that majority of their members would not benefit from the agreement, and wish to table new items for negotiations”.

The statement indicated that the Union was cautioned at the time about the delay this could bring.

“This development did not allow Parties to conclude and sign the initial negotiation based on the first proposals submitted. On 5th November 2024, HSWU was invited to a meeting on 7th November 2024, only for them to hurriedly issue a press release just hours before the meeting.”

The Union in their statement vowed to “advise themselves in a language Government best understands” if the negotiation is not concluded on November 11.

The Commission in its statement also advised the HSWU to continue its engagements with the Government Team in order to conclude negotiations as soon as practicable.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini