CLOSAG demonstrates in Sekondi-Takoradi

Sekondi, July 8, GNA - Placard bearing members of the Western Regional Branch of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association (CLOSAG), on Thursday demonstrated through the principal streets of Sekondi-Takoradi against the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS). Some of the placards read "Justice delayed is Justice denied", "Do not impose SSSS on CLOSAG", "Single Spine is a killer, remove it now", "Mr President sit up 2012 is near", and "Reduce taxes on wages and salaries, we are dying".

The demonstration ended at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) where Mr Kwamena Otu-Odoom, Regional Secretary of the Association, presented a petition to Madam Betty Busumtwi-Sam, Deputy Regional Minister. Madam Busumtwi-Sam asked the association to sit down and negotiate with the government for the redress of their grievances. She said the implementation of the SSSS was started by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is continuing the process.

Madam Busumtwi-Sam noted that the association was exercising its democratic right in expressing their misgivings about the SSSS, but the NDC government which is a "listening and doing government", would consider their petition. She said this is not the first time the country is changing its salary structure and the beginning of every new enterprise is fraught with difficulties. In the petition, CLOSAG said in an earlier petition, it drew attention to the reduction in placement of its members by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission in the implementation of the SSSS. The Association said following the petition, the Association was invited to a meeting at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium on April 23, this year.

It said it was at that meeting that the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare who was present, agreed that the membership of CLOSAG would remain on the GUSS Salary Structure, pending the ratification of the proper placement of its membership. The Association said it was also agreed that negotiations should be opened for the association to negotiate for the 2010 Salary Levels on the basis of the GUSS structure. A further agreement was reached that a Technical Committee be set up to address the concerns raised by CLOSAG. The Association said none of these agreements have been addressed and there was the general feeling that an unfair labour practice was being meted out to CLOSAG members.

It said this act seems to perpetuate institutionalized discrimination which has gone on over the years against its membership. The Association said, "We are a peace loving group of workers who drive the Government machinery and would not want to do anything that would infringe on industrial peace in our front". 8 July 10