The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has expressed disappointment over a recent press release from the Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU), calling it an act of “bad faith” and an example of “unfair labour practices.”

According to the FWSC, the statement undermines ongoing negotiations and fails to acknowledge government’s commitment to good-faith bargaining.

To demonstrate transparency in the talks, the FWSC detailed a timeline of events, noting that both parties signed a set of Rules of Engagement on 17 April 2024 and have since held multiple meetings.

However, on Wednesday, 9 October 2024, the HSWU requested additional time to consider new items for negotiation, a move the FWSC cautioned could delay the final agreement.

Despite these concerns, the FWSC requested that the HSWU submit their new demands in writing, which were received on Tuesday, 15 October 2024.

This, according to the FWSC, prevented the signing of the initial agreement.

The FWSC’s Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Benjamin Arthur, expressed frustration over the HSWU’s recent statement, urging the union’s leadership to retract their press release and issue a public apology.

Mr. Arthur emphasised government’s ongoing goodwill in the negotiation process and stressed the importance of cooperation to reach a fair and timely agreement for all parties involved.

The HSWU of TUC (Ghana) issued a strong warning to government over delays in finalising a new Collective Agreement with health agencies under the Ministry of Health, cautioning that members may be forced to take action if negotiations do not conclude by Monday, 11 November 2024.

In a statement issued on Thursday, 7 November 2024, the union expressed mounting frustration among members over the prolonged negotiations.

The talks, which were due for a mandatory review in November 2023, have stalled despite efforts to address essential working conditions amid escalating economic challenges.

As required by law, the union submitted proposals to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission in November 2023, initiating the discussions. Negotiations formally began in May 2024, but the union states that months of meetings have yet to produce meaningful progress.