The Local Government Workers’ Union (LGWU) of TUC-Ghana has asked its members not to join CLOSAG’s intended strike over their stance on the implementation of Market Premium under the Single Spine Salary Structure.

In a statement signed by Mr Joe Boahen, General Secretary of the LGWU, on Thursday cautioned that since the market premium under the Government White Paper on the new pay policy was not meant for all category of workers, any rush to force the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) would spell doom for the Structure and the economy as a whole.

The LGWU said in its view, “since the Market Premium is not intended to be a wholesale package for all workers, it is very imperative that a labour survey is conducted as soon as practicable to determine the right occupational groups or service classifications that are qualified to benefit from the Market Premium.”

It said the Union was aware of the implementation challenges of the SSSS and “so there is the need for maximum restraint on a critical issue like the Market Premium so that it does not undermine the gains made so far in streamlining the benefit packages under the new pay policy”.

The Union said it was in this regard that its leadership wished to caution its members not to associate themselves with any industrial agitation, including the intended strike by CLOGSAG slated for 14th October, 2013, to compel the FWSC to implement the market premium.

The statement said the LGWU gave the warning at the end of a two-day emergency management meeting held in Accra on Tuesday.

“As leaders of the Union, we have been working closely with the authorities, especially, the FWSC, to ensure that the labour survey is conducted to determine which class of employees in any service classification benefits from the market premium.”

“It is the position of the LGWU that until the labour survey is carried out to determine the beneficiaries, management of the Local Government Service, especially the MMDAs should ensure that their employees remain calm in the wake of the labour agitation and the tension associated with the intended industrial action by CLOGSAG. We therefore advise all members of the LGWU to be wary of any industrial action by any workers group that they do not belong to.”

The leadership of the LGWU also urged all workers groups to critically study the Government’s White Paper on the Guidelines for the determination of the Market Premium under the Single Spine Pay policy, which was issued in April, 2013.

“Through this, we can work together in a concerted effort with FWSC and other social partners to ensure a hitch-free implementation of the Market Premium, rather than rushing to implement it and end up with dire consequences in the labour front and the entire economy.”

In another development, the LGWU says it wishes to inform all employees that the Local Government Service Secretariat and the union have established the occupational pension Scheme in compliance with the National Pension Act, Act 766.

“A formal notice of the 2nd Tier Occupational Pension Scheme for Employees of the Local Government Service and MMDAs was communicated to all RCCs by the Acting Head of Local Government Service Secretariat, Dr Callistus Mahama.