We can't negotiate with TEWU while they're on strike - FWSC

Fair Wages and Salaries Commission(FWSC) cannot negotiate with any labour union while it is on strike, PRO for the Commission, Earl Ankrah insists.

Public Relations Officer of the Commission says it is not the responsibility of FWSC to "manage strikes" and suggested that any union interested in resolving labour issues would have to first call off its strike.

He was speaking in connection with a strike declared by Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU).

TEWU has embarked on an indefinite strike, beginning September 9th 2013, over what the union says is a failure of FWSC to address discrepancies in the salaries of members following their migration onto the Single Spine Salary Structure - a pay policy for public service workers.

The leadership of the Union says feet dragging by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on the payment of the arrears despite several reminders by the National Labour Commission (NLC) can no longer be tolerated.

But Earl Ankrah on Joy News bemoaned the uncompromising stance that labour unions adopt during negotiations saying "for them, addressing the issues means giving them 100% of whatever they want".

In response, TEWU President, Peter Lumor, said the posture adopted by the FWSC not to negotiate with them was unfortunate.

He explained that government and FWSC had the opportunity to meet and resolve the union's concerns after TEWU sent them a letter as far back as 31st July 2013, but failed to do so.

He mentioned that, the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Education had copies of this letter, but to date, no one has even acknowledged receipt of the letter.

He maintained TEWU is not fatigued by its frequent strikes as long as "the other side will not respect the rules."

A Deputy Minister of Education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has said his outfit will be meeting TEWU on Tuesday at 2:00pm to try resolve their grievances.