Striking Judicial Service Staff of Ghana suspend industrial action

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has called off its nationwide strike which started three days ago.

The development comes after the leadership of JUSAG met management of the Judicial Council to resolve issues that triggered the strike action.

In a statement issued on November 14, 2019, JUSAG said that the acting Chief Justice has approved that issues raised at the said meeting will be forwarded to the Judicial Council for further action.

“In view of that, we have resolved to suspend our industrial strike action with immediate effect”, parts of the statement read.

The National President of the Association, Alex Nartey, has therefore called on members to immediately resume work for the smooth and effective running of the various courts.

JUSAG served notice last week to commence indefinite strike on November 13, 2019.

Mr. Nartey said the Finance Ministry has failed to review the salaries of the staff this year in line with the biennial review of staff payment which the ministry is obligated to undertake.

“Our current salary was implemented in the year 2017 and is to be renewed biennially. The Association wrote for salary negotiations on April 26, this year and subsequently served a reminder on July 29,” the notice read.

He wrote, “It has, however, come to our attention that the Finance Ministry has rather slated 2020 for the salary review and for it to be implemented in 2021.”

“The Association vehemently disagrees with the position taken by the government,” it added.

JUSAG strike illegal

The action by JUSAG was described by the National Labour Commission (NLC) as illegal — as it began processes to drag the Association to the law court.

According to the NLC, the industrial action by the group was illegal given that the two parties are already in talks on how to resolve the concerns raised by the judicial workers.

In what appeared to be an unsettled score, the Judicial Service subsequently ordered JUSAG to return to work.

In a statement, the service called on all staff of the Judicial Service to report to work “with immediate effect.”

“All judges and magistrates are also requested to attend to work as usual. Management advises the general public that all courts are functioning and are open for service”, the statement said.

JUSAG, however, insisted it will not call off the strike until today, Thursday November 14, 2019.

By J. Ofori, Daily Mail GH