The Public Services Workers’ Union (PSWU) has called off its planned strike following a directive from the National Labour Commission (NLC).
The Union was directed by the NLC on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, to suspend the strike.
This came against the backdrop of the meeting between the NLC, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), and the PSWU to find solutions to the ongoing labour disputes.
The National Labour Commission (NLC) convened a meeting with a government team led by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), along with representatives from the Ministry of Employment, Labour Relations, and Pensions (MELRP) and the Ministry of Finance, as well as members from the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) to mediate the conflict.
The Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) had previously announced on October 14, 2024, that it would begin industrial action on Monday, October 21, 2024, in response to demands for two specific allowances for its members.
In an interview, Bernard Adjei, General Secretary of the PSWU, mentioned that the union concluded to suspend the strike following a meeting with the NLC, which insisted that talks about improved working conditions could only resume once the industrial action was called off.
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Mr. Adjei stated that union members are anticipated to return to work on Monday, October 28, with negotiations with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission set to continue next week.
“It’s just a matter of communication, but yes, people will fully report to the office on Monday. We’ve suspended the strike as part of the Labour Commission’s directives. If we don’t suspend it, how would Fair Wages meet us for negotiations,” Adjei said.
He also stressed that institutions must recognize that every action has consequences.
“Institutions should know that there are consequences for every action and decision we take. I can tell you that there are management who also want to punish our people. And we will also not do anything to put our members in harm’s way,” he added.
Full statement below: