The Divisional Executive Council of the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) of TUC (Ghana) NIA-Division has issued a warning to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) over their failure to comply with National Labour Commission (NLC) directives regarding ongoing salary negotiations.

The union’s decisive stance comes as the July 3, 2024, deadline for concluding negotiations approaches.

In a statement issued on Monday, 1 July, 2024, the PSWU of TUC(Ghana) NIA-Division expressed its frustration over what it describes as the FWSC’s “unenthusiastic posture and conduct” throughout the negotiation process.

The union accused the FWSC of failing to honour agreed-upon meeting schedules and disregarding the NLC’s directives issued on June 12, 2024.

“It is on record that after the directives by NLC, the FWSC invited us to a meeting on June 14, 2024, at the NIA head office to continue negotiations,” the statement revealed.

It further revealed: “At the end of that meeting, we agreed to reconvene on June 21, 2024, at 5 PM on the premises of FWSC. However, the government team, led by the FWSC, failed to honour this meeting, and instead went to NIA head office on the same date and time, without the involvement of the unions.”

The PSWU of TUC (Ghana) NIA-Division criticised the FWSC for exhibiting “bad faith” and failing to adhere to the NLC’s directive, which required that the parties agree on a new meeting date for unresolved issues and report progress by July 3, 2024.

“The conduct of the FWSC is an unsubstantiated exhibition of bad faith which is contrary to the directive by the NLC,” the statement said.

It continued that: “If by Wednesday, July 3, 2024, negotiations on our Collective Agreement are not completed with clear commitments for implementation, we will have no other option than to advise ourselves with immediate effect without further notice.”

In a show of solidarity, the PSWU has instructed all members to wear red or black attire with red armbands starting July 1, 2024. Members are also directed to carry placards with hashtags such as “#FixOurConditionsOfServiceNow, #GrantUsInstitutionSpecificAllowancesOrNoWork, #TheNIAStaffDeservesBetter, #ImplementTheApprovedSOSNow, and #ProfAttafuahMustGo.”

“Beginning Monday, July 1, 2024, all members are to wear red or black attire with red armbands to the office as a sign of demonstration against our poor conditions of service,” the statement outlined.

The PSWU also announced that a formal petition has been submitted to President Nana Akufo-Addo, demanding urgent intervention in the matter.