CLOGSAG withdraws from negotiations with NLC

Accra, June 22, GNA - The Civil and Local Government Staff Associati on of Ghana (CLOGSAG) will hold an emergency meeting on June 23 in Accra, to

discuss the stalemate with Fair Wages and salaries Commission (FWSC) over

the new pay policy. Ahead of the meeting the Association has withdrawn from the negotiation s it initiated with the National Labour Commission (NLC), in response to wh at the body claimed was an attempt by Mr George Smith-Graham, Chief Executiv e Officer of FWSC to intimidate and pressurised the Commission to rule in their favour. Mr Edward Tennyson Foli, Acting President of CLOGSAG, who addressed a press conference in Accra on Monday referred to a media report on June 9,

quoting the FWSC as saying it would go to court if NLC approved the deman d by CLOGSAG to negotiate separately the condition of service of its member s. He alleged that the FWSC had issued series of press statements, in spite of the ban on communication imposed on both parties by the NLC on t he matter. Mr Foli said: "This posture of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commissio n is enough threat to fairness and justice regarding the matter before National Labour Commission." He said since November 2009, the Association requested the Commissio n to open salary negotiation for 2010 with members. "The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission refused to respond, promptin g the Association to send the matter to the National Labour Commission" The Acting President said proceedings of the Technical Committee set up by the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, to address the concerns of CLOGSAG on the Single Spine Pay Policy, have been suspended in view of th e fact that FWSC had refused to furnish the Committee with vital informatio n. Mr Foli asked members of the Association to remain steadfast and continue to have confidence in their leaders as they meet on Wednesday to

plan the way forward. Meanwhile Mr Smith-Graham, had told the Ghana News Agency that said the NLC had postponed to Wednesday, June 23 the issue pending between FWSC an d CLOGSAG.