National Labour Commission subpoena CLOGSAG

The National Labour Commission (NLC) on Friday issued a Writ of Subpoena Adueces Tecum order 38 rule 10 (1) to Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) to appear before the Commission on Monday.

The Subpoena is in respect of the petition against industrial action of CLOGSAG by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).

A copy of the Subpoena obtained by the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday states: “You are commended to attend a hearing at the NLC, Ridge on Monday 5, November at 1100 a.m. fixed for the hearing of the petition.

“Notice of which is hereby given you and from day to day there after as may be needed until the end of the hearing.”

The subpoena was signed by Mr Edward Briku-Boadu NLC Executive Secretary and copied to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.

In a related development the Civil Service Council (CSC) on Friday appealed to CLOGSAG to call off its nationwide strike and return to the negotiating table.

A statement to the GNA in Accra signed by Dr Robert Dodoo CSC called on all Civil and Local Government Staff to remain calm and loyal to continue to offer dedicated services to the nation.

The statement explained that the appeal was made during an emergency Council meeting with the National Executive Committee of CLOGSAG in which the purported strike was discussed.

According to the statement, the strike declared by CLOGSAG came to the CRS as a surprise because on Monday, October 29 the Council met representatives of the leadership of CLOGSAG and heard their concerns.

“There and then, the Council agreed to formally convey the concerns of CLOGSAG to government.

According to the Council, the CLOGSAG leadership agreed to convene a National Executive Committee on Tuesday November 6 to convey the Council’s position to its members.

CLOGSAG declared an indefinite industrial action last Wednesday, to pressure government to pay premium to its members, saying: “The strike…is in response to failure on the part of government and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to address outstanding issues with regard to the payment of premium.”

Meanwhile the Greater Accra Regional Secretary of CLOGSAG, Mr Samuel Nii Clottey, said the strike shall remain in force until government gives in to the demand of members to pay premium

He acknowledged that though there were “few bad nuts” amongst them who are not observing the directive, the strike is in progress and is expected to pressure government to yield to their demand.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency Mr Clottey refuted assertion that the association failed to follow due process before embarking on the strike.

He said: “The association has not breached any process pertaining to the labour law on grievances and negotiations before embarking on the industrial action we followed due processes.”