The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) is demanding an apology and retraction from the Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU) for breaching the Labour Act.

It has described a notice of an intended strike action by Health Services Workers’ Union as unfair labour practice and a show of bad faith.

The Health Services Workers’ Union in a press release have served notice of embarking on a nationwide strike over their condition of services.

The Union noted in a press statement dated 7th November 2024 to advise themselves in a language Government best understands if negotiations are not concluded on their Conditions of Service by Monday 11th November, 2024.

Chief Executive Officer of Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Ing Benjamin Arthur, reacting to issues raised by the Health Services Workers’ Union, expressed fret over the planned strike by the union.

“FWSC is of the view that this is an unfair labour practice and a show of bad faith. We call on the leadership of HSWU to retract the said press release and issue an apology.

“Threatening and intimidating a party despite all the goodwill that the Government has demonstrated amounts to bad faith, and the Government cannot be accused of any delays,” Ing Arthor stated.

He maintained that the government cannot be accused of any delays in working on their condition of services as the Health Services Workers’ Union has failed to subscribe to an agreed document after several meetings.

Below is the full statement by the commission.

8TH NOVEMBER, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TO ALL MEDIA HOUSES
GOVERNMENT HAS NOT DELAYED IN CONCLUDING NEGOTIATIONS WITH HEALTH SERVICES WORKERS’ UNION (HSWU)
The attention of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has been drawn to a press release issued by the Health Services Workers’ Union on 7th November 2024, indicating their intention to “advise themselves in a language Government best understands” if negotiations are not concluded on their Conditions of Service by Monday 11th November, 2024.

FWSC wishes to respond to the concerns raised by HSWU as follows:

1. FWSC has at all times shown great commitment towards the negotiation of Conditions of Service for members of the Health Services Workers’ Union in line with Section 97 of the Labour Act 2003, Act 651.

2. After HSWU submitted its proposals, the Parties signed Rules of Engagement on Wednesday 17th April 2024 to commence negotiations.

3. Ever since, there have been several meetings with HSWU to negotiate their Conditions of Service.

4. On 9th October, 2024, the Parties met to conclude and sign an agreement. At the tail end of the meeting, the Union made an appeal that the Parties should hold on with the signing because HSWU was of the opinion that majority of their members would not benefit from the agreement, and wish to table new items for negotiations

5. The Government Team cautioned them that this new demand would prolong the negotiations. However, the Government Team requested HSWU to put their new demand into writing.

6. HSWU per letter with reference number HU/HQ/119/Vol 3/2024 dated 14th October, 2024 submitted an Addendum to FWSC which was received on 15th October, 2024. This development did not allow Parties to conclude and sign the initial negotiation based on the first proposals submitted.

7. On 5th November 2024, HSWU was invited to a meeting on 7th November 2024, only for them to hurriedly issue a press release just hours before the meeting.

FWSC is of the view that this is an unfair labour practice and a show of bad faith. We call on the leadership of HSWU to retract the said press release and issue an apology.

Threatening and intimidating a party despite all the goodwill that the Government has demonstrated amounts to bad faith, and the Government cannot be accused of any delays.

8. At the last meeting held between the Government Team and HSWU yesterday (7th November 2024), there was only one (1) outstanding item for negotiation, and discussions are currently ongoing to ensure that an agreement is reached.

9. A meeting has subsequently been scheduled for Monday 11th November, 2024 where parties have agreed to meet and conclude negotiations.

10. We are therefore surprised that HSWU has issued a press release indicating their intention to advise themselves if negotiations are not concluded by Monday 11th November, 2024.

11. We therefore urge HSWU to continue its engagements with the Government Team in order to conclude negotiations as soon as practicable.