The Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) is threatening a series of industrial actions if the government fails to address the demands of its striking members under the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) division by September 30.
The staff union of NCCE has been on an indefinite strike since September 18, protesting the failure of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to renegotiate institutional-specific allowances for its members.
The PSWU’s Deputy General Secretary, John Sampah, expressed disappointment with the government’s handling of the issue, saying that other public sector workers’ unions have received different allowances due to them.
He emphasised that the union prefers dialogue and diplomacy, but is prepared to take industrial action if the government fails to address the concerns of its members.
He added that 45 public sector unions belong to the PSWU, and they are all prepared to take action if their demands are not met.
Sampah slammed the government’s salary policy administrators, saying that they are not helping to resolve the issue.
He also accused the government of treating certain groups of workers better than others, which could create an unfair impression.
“We believe in dialogue, we believe in diplomacy, we also believe in consultation and making sure that what the people deserve, we do it. But the government and the government agencies responsible for this are not helping things.
“Even we have about 45 public sector unions that belong to our union, and we have resolved to take industrial action from the 30 September if we don’t hear anything. We have already written to the institution, including the electoral commission.”