HSWU's action before meeting unfair labour practice -  FWSC says

The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has urged the Health Service Workers' Union (HSWU) to retract and apologise for issuing a press release before a meeting scheduled between the two parties. 

The Chief Executive of the FWSC, Benjamin Arthur, at a conference held at the FWSC Head Office in Accra  yesterday described the statement issued by the HSWU as unfair labour practice; hence, the call for an apology while the parties prepare to meet next week Monday,

"On  November 5, 2024, HSWU was invited to a meeting on November 7, 2024, only for them to issue a press release just hours before the meeting hurriedly. FWSC is of the view that this is an unfair labour practice and a show of bad faith. We call on the leadership of the HSWU to retract the said press release and issue an apology," he said.

Mr Arthur indicated that the government had shown great commitment to their concern and had engaged them in several meetings which did not warrant threats and intimidation.

"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," he stated.

The CEO of FWSC emphasised that the Commission had at all times shown great commitment towards the negotiation of Conditions of Service for members of the HWSU in line with Section 97 of the Labour Act 2003, Act 651.

Issues

On some concerns raised by the HSWU, Mr Arthur clarified that after HSWU submitted its proposals, the parties signed Rules of Engagement on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, to commence negotiations followed by several meetings with HSWU to negotiate their Conditions of Service.

He added that on "October 9, 2024, the parties met to conclude and sign an agreement. At the tail end of the meeting, the union appealed that the parties should hold on with the signing because HSWU thought that the majority of their members would not benefit from the agreement, and wished to table new items for negotiations".

The CEO of the Commission indicated that the government cautioned HSWU that its new demand would prolong the negotiations, but still requested HSWU to put their new demand into writing which "HSWU per letter with reference number HU/HQ/119/Vol 3/2024 dated  October 14, 2024, submitted an Addendum to FWSC which was received on October 15, 2024". 

This development, he said, did not allow parties to conclude and sign the initial negotiation based on the first proposals submitted.

Call

Mr Arthur said at the last meeting held between the government team and HSWU, there was only one outstanding item for negotiation, and discussions were ongoing to ensure an agreement. 

He added that a meeting was scheduled for Monday, November 11 this year where parties agreed to meet and conclude negotiations.

He expressed surprise that HSWU had issued a press release indicating their intention to advise themselves if negotiations were not concluded in their next meeting. 

The CEO of FWSC, therefore, urged HSWU to continue its engagements with the government to conclude negotiations as soon as practicable.

HSWU allegations and demand

The HSWU in their press conference addressed by its General Secretary, Franklin Owusu Ansah last Thursday, said the government had for the past months failed to get all the outstanding issues resolved to enable the parties to conclude and sign the agreement for its implementation that would mitigate the current economic hardship of its members.

Mr Ansah said the Collective Agreement between the HSWU, Health Agencies, and Facilities under the Ministry of Health was due for review in November last year and had as required by law submitted proposals to the FWSC in November last year to enable the parties to meet and negotiate, conclude and sign the agreement on behalf of members.