Medical lab scientists temporarily halt plan to embark on strike

The Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU) has temporarily suspended its plan to embark on a nationwide industrial, as the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) secures financial clearance for two out of 13 items under negotiations for their Conditions of Service.

Although the move by the FWSC averted the strike action, the leadership of the union described it as “woefully inadequate” and “disappointing.”

At a press conference called late Friday afternoon to declare the strike, the executives of the union announced the temporal suspension of the strike declaration in view of the development at their negotiation meeting just preceding the press conference.

“We are highly disappointed that the FWSC has clearance for only two out of the 13 items under negotiation,” said Dr Cephas Kofi Akortor, General Secretary of MELPWU.

However, he said the union has decided to continue demonstrating “good faith” by remaining at the negotiating table in respect of the labour law, but warned that they would not allow the government to take their patience for granted.

Conditions of Service negotiations between the union and the FWSC has dragged for almost two years, amidst long delays from the government side, triggering threats by the union to embark on a nationwide industrial action.

On May Day, the union gave the government a 20-day ultimatum to address the outstanding issues, including the provision of financial clearance by the Ministry of Finance to enable the FWSC to resume and conclude the negotiations.

Few days to the expiration of that ultimatum, the Labour Commission intervened on May 16th with a meeting of the parties, and ordered the FWSC to resume and conclude negotiations with the union, to avert any industrial action by the union. The parties were asked to report back to the NLC on May 30 on the outcome of their engagement.

In adherence to that directive, the strike intention was kept on hold and FWSC held a meeting with the union on May 21st, in an attempt to resume the negotiations, but it ended inconclusively as the Ministry of Finance had still not provided the financial clearance to enable the Commission to continue with the negotiations.

As the union planned to declare the strike yesterday Friday, the FWSC called an emergency negotiation meeting ahead of the press conference, where it informed the union about the availability of financial clearance for two out of 13 demand items.

Dr. Akortor impressed upon the agitated membership to remain calm as the leadership examines the commitment of the government to new assurances that the FWSC and the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations have offered to address the union’s concerns, to determine the next line of action.

A strike by the union would significantly affect healthcare delivery across the country as laboratories in public health facilities will not operate.

Membership of the union comprises Medical Laboratory Scientists, Medical Laboratory Technicians, and Medical Laboratory Assistants who provide laboratory diagnostic services in all clinical laboratories and blood banks under the Ministry of Health and allied agencies including the Ghana Health Service, National Blood Service, Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Teaching Hospitals, Health Training Institutions, Ahmadiyya Health Services Ghana and University of Ghana Medical Centre, among others.

It also includes laboratory professionals who provide technical services in Pathology Laboratories and selected mortuary facilities in the country.