The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has served notice that it will lay down its tools until further notice on November 13, 2019, if salaries of its members are not reviewed.
Even before that, the National Executive Council of JUSAG has asked Judicial Service Staff to put on red-arm bands and hoist red flags in the various courts effective tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5, 2019, to have their demands addressed.
In a statement to announce the impending industrial action, JUSAG said it is using this opportunity to call on the Judicial Council and Government to immediately “address our legitimate issues to forefend the intended strike.”
“Notice is hereby given that the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) will embark on industrial strike action effective 13th November 2019.”
“The above-intended strike action is to demand a review of our current salaries. Our current salary
was implemented in the year 2017 and to be renewed bi-annually. However, in the year 2017, the Ministry of Finance sought to cancel the payment of rent allowance to our members and after several protests, the Judicial Council, Government and the Association resolved the issue in 2018 and for implementation in the year 2019”, the statement added.
JUSAG further argues that, in 2019, it wrote letters in April to demand the commencement of salary negotiations and subsequently served a reminder in July.
On 1st October 2019, the Judicial Council mandated to review their salaries and other salary-related matters under the 1992, constitution, set up a committee and considered the proposals of the Association.
At the meeting, it resolved that decisions of the meeting will be forwarded to the President for approval and same captured in the National Budget for the year 2020.
But the association says it has however come to its attention hat the Ministry of Finance has rather slated their salary review for the year 2020 and for implementation in the year 2021.
JUSAG thus vehemently disagrees with the position taken by the government, hence its present demand.
To this end, the National Executive Council of JUSAG at its meeting held on 31st October 2019 has resolved as follows:
1. That all staff of the Judicial Service shall put on red-arm bands and hoist red flags in the court nationwide effective Tuesday 5th November 2019.
2. That all staff of the Judicial Service shall embark on an indefinite strike, beginning Wednesday 13th November 2019 until further notice.
3. That Staff of the Judicial Service are threatened to observe the above directives without fail.
