HSWU gives government ultimatum to address negotiation issues

By Laudia Sawer

Tema, Nov. 07, GNA — The Health Services Workers Union (HSWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has given the government a four-day ultimatum to solve all issues relating to the delay in the review of the union’s collective agreement.”

Mr. Franklin Owusu Ansah, the General Secretary of the HSWU, gave the ultimatum on Thursday during a press conference at Tema.

Mr. Ansah indicated that the patience of their members has run out and “we are giving them up to Monday, November 11, 2024, to get all the outstanding issues resolved to enable the parties to conclude and sign the agreement for its implementation that will mitigate the current economic hardship of our members.”

He added that, “failure to do so will lead to the Union advising itself in a language that the government best understands.”

He explained that the Collective Agreement between the HSWU and Health Agencies and Facilities under the Ministry of Health was due for review in November 2023, noting that, as required by law, proposals were submitted by the Union to the

Fair Wages and Salaries Commission in November 2023 to enable the parties to meet and negotiate, conclude, and sign the agreement on behalf of members.

The General Secretary revealed that the negotiations began in May 2024, and all efforts to get the issues resolved have proved futile.

“There have been countless meetings with the government team, and we seem not to be making headway,” the union stressed.

The leadership of the Union implored its members to remain calm and resolute while counting on leadership for the days ahead.

GNA