Local gov't workers call for Police protection against CLOGSAG

The Local government workers union has called for police protection as they insist on defying CLOGSAG’s directive for all its members to embark on strike.

The union, according to its leaders, stands independent of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana.

Members of CLOGSAG embarked on an indefinite strike last week over the implementation of their Market Premium under the Single Spine Salary Structure.

Speaking on ‘Strict Proof’ on Radio XYZ, General Secretary of LGWU, Joe Buahene said leadership of CLOGSAG is unlawfully imposing the strike action on them. He said they are ready to fight for their right to duty.

“They are forcing us to partake in the strike. We don’t want it. So we are only asking for police protection from them.

“We are not part of their group and I don’t understand why they want to force some of our members into joining their fruitless cause. That is why we have called for police protection.”

Joe Boahene who insists the local government workers union is a legitimate group, says its members are not interested in the fight CLOGSAG is fronting.

“We won’t be beneficiary of the fight CLOGSAG is fronting. If say our members are beneficiaries of the market premium, it is not true. As for us, we don’t know the people who are qualified so we will wait till we find out so we can appropriately address their needs. ”

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister for Employment and labor relations Antwi Bosiako Sekyere has clearly stated the government will not pay striking CLOGSAG members for the entire period they will absent themselves from work.

The minister said this when he was reacting to accusations that he is using his position to constantly threaten the members into declining their stance.

At a press conference today, executive secretary of the group, Isaac Bampoh Addo who leveled fresh accusations said the deputy minister is deliberately deceiving the government and sabotaging the efforts of CLOGSAG.

Antwi Bosiako Sekyere said these claims must be ignored because he is innocent of them. He however insists that striking members of the Civil and Local government Staff Association of Ghana, CLOGSAG, to turn to the Association for their salary at the end of the month because their strike is illegal.