Civil servants threaten nationwide strike

Kumasi, July 29, GNA - Members of the Civil Servants Association (CSA) have decided to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike action if government fails to meet all outstanding commitments to civil servants in the country by Tuesday August 15.

Members of the association will from Monday July 31, put on red bands to signal their seriousness to undertake the strike action when their demands were not fulfilled by August 15.

They contended that, "The Government's feet dragging attitude on welfare issues affecting civil servants would no longer be tolerated." The members took the decision in a resolution adopted at the end of the 10th quadrennial delegates' congress of the association held in Kumasi from July 24 to 29.

The resolution signed by Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, Outgoing President of the association pointed out that, members of the association had come to realise that it was only strike actions that could compel the Government to take action on the welfare of civil servants.

"Civil servants are also now convinced that strikes and other breaches of industrial peace are not only swiftly attended to but also hugely rewarded; hence we resolve that our traditional co-operation, understanding and respect for dialogue, promises and pledges by government is suspended", the resolution emphasised.

It said members of the association had realised with great disappointment the consistent, deliberate policy of discrimination by government against civil servants in handling all public service wages and salaries and other conditions of service and cited the prompt and urgent attention given to the Ghana Health Service workers, POTAG, TEWU and others and said such discrimination must not be allowed to continue. The association also called for an autonomous salary structure exclusively designed for the Civil Service, and said all negotiations towards the 2007 salary adjustment for civil servants should be based on the new salary structure.

The resolution said the association had opted out of the FORUM since its continued membership had been a great disservice to civil servants in the country.

The delegates elected Mr Robertson Nii Akwei Allotey, as the new President of the association.

Mr Allotey, a Director at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service polled 154 votes to beat Reverend (Mrs) Comfort Adu, who had 87 votes.

Mr Tennison Edward Foli was elected Vice President, Mr Isaac Bampo Addo as Treasurer and Mr J.Appiah Sarpong, First Trustee. Mr Allotey pledged to operate open door policy, promote transparency within the association and continue to work hard to enhance the unity and welfare of members.

Alhaji Yakubu, expressed appreciation to the members for their loyalty, continued support and cooperation during his tenure and pledged to put his experiences at the disposal on of the new executive to promote the welfare of the members.