JUSAG adamant about strike despite order to go back to work
The Judicial Service has ordered members of the Judicial Service Staff Association (JUSAG) to “immediately” call off their strike and return to work.
Activities at many courts across the country were affected on Wednesday and Thursday following the declaration of an indefinite strike by JUSAG after a meeting on Tuesday [November 12] until concerns of their allowance and salary discrepancies were duly addressed.
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However, the National Labour Commission, in a reaction, declared the action illegal and said the Commission was currently working on the concerns.
The Executive Secretary of the NLC, Mr Ofosu Asamoah in a radio interview on Accra based Class FM said the NLC will meet JUSAG in court if they fail to call off the strike and resume work.
But JUSAG will not budge.
As a result of the strike, court clerks, recorders (typists) and other staff failed to show up for work on Wednesday and Thursday.
In a response, the Judicial Service in a statement signed and issued by the Judicial Secretary, Ms Cynthia Pamela A. Addo on Wednesday November 13 said the “management of the Judicial Service has noted with concern that in spite of the National Labour Commission, on the 12th of November 2019 declaring the intended strike of the Judicial Service Staff Association (JUSAG) illegal, JUSAG proceeded to embark upon strike action on 13 November 2019. We, therefore, call 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.
Responding to the Judicial Service Secretary's statement on Thursday morning, JUSAG insisted it will not call off the strike.
"We write to state that we "RESPECTIVELY disagree with the position taken by management."
"Our members shall therefore remain on strike to demand the implementation of the negotiated salary reviews done by the Judicial Service," the statement signed by Mr Derrick Annan, General Secretary of JUSAG said.
Attached below is a copy of the JUSAG response