PSUW-NIA blasts Fair Wages Commission, calls for name change to 'Unfair Wages Commission'

The Public Service Workers’ Union of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), National Identification Authority’s Division, has slammed the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission for failing to honour the request for Institution Specific Allowances for Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) member organisations subsisting on the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP).

The Workers’ Union has therefore served notice to strike on October 21, 2024.

Adu Kyeremeh Kwabena, General Secretary, said on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM that for the past ten years since the implementation of the single-spine pay policy, more of its members have been shortchanged.

Mr. Kwabena Kyeremeh said they had earlier called off their strike action, but despite all the assurances given them, the authorities have failed in dealing with their matters.

If the strike should advance, activities rendered at the Electoral Commission, Audit Service, National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), the National Identification Authority (NIA), and 40 others will grind to a halt.

He stated "Our declared strike is in response to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission’s (FWSC) failure to meet the union’s demands for the payment of institution-specific benefits. We discovered that they were not prepared to address our concerns. They do not live up to their name and core mission as a state institution. We still have serious issues that have not been addressed. These issues include but are not limited to, the implementation of recommendations from a nine-member government-appointed committee that reviewed the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP) in 2022.

"We’re doing this to ensure our future and survival as workers. We have exhausted all available options for resolving our issues. However, the authorities have shown no interest. So, on October 21, 2024, we will begin a strike action. Our mother body has ordered us to strike. They have attempted to have our leaders address our concerns, but their efforts have proven futile."

"The government must act quickly to address our concerns. The planned strike will have an impact or disrupt key public services across the country. We are also disappointed in the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission for their failure to address the issue. They do not deserve the name and should be given a different one," he added.