The recent protest by Civil and Local Government Staff Association (CLOGSA) about the Single Spine Salary Structure indisputably threatens the take-off of the new pay policy on July 1, 2010. CLOGSA, in the past week, threatened to embark on a protest-march on July 8, raising disparities within some sections in the new pay structure. It therefore withdrew from negotiations with the National Labour Commission, arguing that some statements of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission could possibly influence the Labour Commission. Some labour organizations have already stated that the current happenings could break the labour front and thereby delay the implementation of the SSSS. They questioned the motive of CLOGSSA, saying they entirely disagree with them. “The way they are behaving is undermining the whole single spine salary process. I would not be surprised if the issue is dragged to court,” a member of a labour union who wants to remain anonymous told Business Guide. The Labour Act 2003, Act 651 talks about organized labour and registered trade unions. It also gives the Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), the most represented labour union, the right to lead the labour front when it comes to negotiations for the Single Spine Pay Salary. A source told Business Guide that what CLOGSA is doing undermines the whole process. “Doctors even had a problem but it had been solved. Government can say the labour front is not well organized, hence the postponement of the SSSS,” the source added. According to him, CLOGSA can engage their colleagues such as the Public Sector Workers Union and furnish them with their peculiar problems rather than dissociating itself from the labour front. “A united front is the best to achieve our dreams,” he added. Organized labour therefore urged the FWSC to avoid unilateral decisions on issues relating to the Single Spine Pay Policy, adding further delays in the implementation of the pay policy should be avoided. The labour organizations include the GTUC, the largest of all, Health Service Workers Union, the Teachers and Educational Workers Union, Communication Workers Union, the General Agricultural Workers Union, the Ghana Police Service, Industrial and Commercial Workers Union, the Parliamentary Service of Ghana, Customs Excise and Preventive Service and many others. “We recognized the need to address technical difficulties associated with the implementation of the new policy. But we would like to caution that organized labour will not accept any further delay because such delays can disturb the industrial peace we are currently enjoying in the country.” Meanwhile, the National Labour Commission (NLC) has refuted suggestions that it is empowered by law to get the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Civil Servants and Local Government Servants Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) back to the negotiation table. Source: Business Guide/Ghana