The Medical Laboratory Professional Workers Union has expressed disappointment with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission’s (FWSC) inability to address the majority of their concerns.
This follows an inconclusive meeting where the Commission indicated that it could only resolve two out of the thirteen issues presented by the Union, with the conditions of service being a key unresolved matter.
Addressing the media, the Union’s General Secretary, Dr Cephas Kofi Akortor, registered the Union’s displeasure with the FWSC action.
“It is surprising to have the whole head of legal for FWSC to come before the National Labour Commission assuring them of having a mandate and extending an invitation to us as a Union only for us to go to the table and they say they have a mandate for only two items. We found that very insulting and going forward we are not going to condone such attitude.”
Dr. Cephas Kofi Akortor also affirmed their determination to continue pressing the government to address their concerns.
He said, “You cannot be negotiating and at the same time demonstrating or striking. And so, if there is a decision that the Union is striking then that decision must be properly communicated but while we are still engaging, we are encouraging every member of the Union to stay calm and still look forward to the outcome of our discussions.
“We want to appeal to all members to still be at the post and keep their faith in us and we believe the National Executives will work diligently for our interest.”
The National Labour Commission has however set a June 20 deadline for the union to report back on the outcome of their discussions with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.
Additionally, the Union indicated that it has given the FWSC an early next week ultimatum to engage them again on their concerns and would advise themselves accordingly if they fail to.
“They (FWSC) were pleading that we should allow them for some time but for us, we are running out of time. So, we have given them up to early next week for us to engage again”.
“Members are highly agitated. We don’t take pride in a strike. We believe in engagement but if the government thinks that strike is the only way that they will come to the table for us to talk, that one will be from the membership, and we will advise ourselves on what to do.”
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