JUSAG threatens strike over unpaid salaries

The Judicial Service Staff Association (JUSAG) is threatening a nationwide strike, accusing government of dragging its feet regarding the implementation of members’ consolidated salaries as recommended by the Judicial Council.

Speaking Thursday in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, Alex Nartey, president of JUSAG said members are “frustrated” and “unhappy” and that if government does not address their issues before October 21 they will strike.

In 2012, the Judicial Council, after reviewing the conditions of service of staff of the Judicial Service, concluded in 2015 that the allowances and salaries of the staff should be consolidated into one salary. But government failed to implement it.

As a result on Friday 20 May, 2016 it declared an indefinite nationwide strike which was called off after entering into agreement with the government.

Mr. Nartey then at a press conference said the labour union and the government had agreed on a framework to implement the consolidation of the salaries of the members of the association as recommended by the Judicial Council.

“In view of this, we call on our members to resume work immediately, while the Presidential Committee set up to look into the matter begins its deliberations to implement the agreed process.

“From tomorrow, all the courts will be very effective. We expect all our members to come, so that we can start attending to the public," he stated then.

But barely three months after calling off its strike, it is threatening to go back because "government is yet to honour its part of the agreement", said Mr. Nartey.