LABOUR SCENE BOILS AGAIN

Page 7: Daily Graphic, May 29, 2012 MEMBERS of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) have again interrupted the peaceful industrial front with the announcement of a strike over what they describe as feet-dragging by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) in addressing their concerns pertaining to their migration onto the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS). Not long ago, POTAG was in the news demanding that its members be put on the same level as members of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) on the SSSS. It is sad that POTAG did not inform its employer, the Ministry of Education, before embarking on the action. It is interesting that members of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) who have similar concerns over distortions in the SSSS chose to protest and lodge an official complaint with the appropriate authorities. The GMA then served a two-week notice to take a firm decision on what action to take if its concerns were not addressed. The Daily Graphic has, on numerous occasions, raised concerns over the frequent industrial actions by workers or groups to force the government to meet their demands. We have always maintained that nobody goes to the negotiating table with entrenched positions. It is our candid opinion that no group of workers should hold the nation to ransom. Whatever the challenges, we believe workers can use the grievance procedure to seek redress. Why would members of POTAG choose to go on strike when students are about to write their examinations? Are they suggesting that they are using the students as their bargaining chip? Ghana’s forward march to economic success seems to have suffered a jolt with the sky-rocketing depreciation of the cedi resulting from the mad rush for the dollar over fears of electoral violence in the run-up to the December elections. The importation of every conceivable item is also responsible for the free fall of the cedi. However legitimate strikes may be, we believe the right procedures must be followed. That is why the Daily Graphic thinks that negotiations hold the key to resolving any misunderstanding, not compelling a party to cede to one’s demands through blackmail, such as the use of strikes. The GMA has shown the way by not only making known its complaints but also following the due process of protesting and lodging official complaints. The two-week ultimatum given may be too short a notice, but we believe the association has shown the way. Even if it decides to embark on an industrial action, which we hope it will not, the GMA will attract more public sympathy than POTAG will. All workers desire better conditions of service, but this should not be done to the detriment of the public good. The Daily Graphic, therefore, entreats all those involved in disputes to explore the benefits of dialogue in order not to disrupt productive activities in the country and retard the development process. We also urge the FWSC, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department and the Ministry of Education to take steps to resolve the grievances of polytechnic teachers. Complaints against the FWSC are becoming one too many and we believe it will be in its interest and that of the nation if it becomes more proactive. We urge members of POTAG to reconsider their action, return to the classroom in the interest of their students and follow the due process to seek redress for their grievances.