JUSAG suspends indefinite strike
The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has suspended the indefinite strike it embarked on and which crippled court proceedings across the country.
The association declared an indefinite industrial action last Tuesday, with the strike taking effect from Wednesday, November 13, 2019, over what it described as the failure of the government to review the salaries of its members.
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The labour union said the government had failed to implement a review of the salaries of its members which it negotiated with the Judicial Council, the body mandated to determine the conditions of service of all staff of the Judicial Service.
However, in the evening of yesterday, JUSAG issued a statement saying it had suspended the industrial action following a meeting between its leadership and the management of the Judicial Service to find a way of resolving the issues that led to the strike.
"We are glad to announce to the public and our rank and file that today, 14th November, 2019, the leadership of JUSAG and the management of the Judicial Service met on the issues that necessitated our indefinite strike," a statement signed and issued by the National President of JUSAG, Mr Alex Nartey, said.
It said the acting Chief Justice had given approval for the issues JUSAG raised to be forwarded to the Judicial Council.
“In view of the above, we have resolved to suspend our industrial action with immediate effect.
We, therefore, appeal to our rank and file to resume work, while leadership works with the management on the matter,” it stated.
Biting strike
Across the country, the effect of the strike was biting.
A visit by the Daily Graphic to courts across the country revealed that there was little activity, with the courts, usually beehives of activities for litigants, accused persons, lawyers, judges, security personnel and the public, virtually turning into ghost towns.
The courtrooms were locked, while businesses which revolved around the courts had also ground to a halt.
Apart from the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal which heard cases in Accra last Wednesday, there had been no activities at the other courts since the strike began.
A source told the Daily Graphic that Judicial Service staff at the Supreme Court could not take part in the strike because of what it described as the sensitive nature of that court.
“This is a sensitive place and staff cannot just embark on a strike,” the source said.
However, all the 12 circuit courts located at the Supreme Court Complex in Accra were under lock, with only security men manning the entrances and exits of the complex.
Also, the Law Court Complex in Accra, which houses 44 High Courts, a bank and restaurants and is normally a source of traffic congestion around the Ministries area, was also quiet.
Court users frustrated
Some court users expressed their frustration at the strike to the Daily Graphic.
“I saw the court under lock and when I asked, I was told the workers were on strike.
I have a case and I want it resolved, but this strike has stalled it.
I am not happy about the situation because my case is now hanging,” a litigant who identified himself as Ayitey said.
Another litigant, who gave her name as Maame Abena, said she was not even aware of the strike.
“I did not know the court was on strike, neither have I ever heard that the court has ever been on strike.
This has really worried me because I had sued my child’s father for not taking care of the child. Now that the court is on strike, how am I going to ensure that the man performs his responsibilities?” she asked.
When strike was in force
Earlier, orders issued by the National Labour Commission (NLC) and the Judicial Secretary asking JUSAG to call off the strike were ignored by the striking workers.
The NLC, in a letter addressed to the National President of JUSAG, Mr Nartey, ordered the labour union to refrain from the industrial action because it was illegal.
According to the letter, dated November 12, 2019 and signed by the Executive Secretary of the NLC, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, the NLC had informed JUSAG not to embark on the strike because negotiations were still ongoing.
The letter said by embarking on the strike, JUSAG had breached Section 161 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), which stipulates that “a party to an industrial dispute shall not resort to a strike or lockout during the period when negotiation, mediation or arbitration is