The Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association has declined an invitation from the National Labour Commission (NLC) to mediate in their grievances. According to the association, they have exhausted the compulsory arbitration with the NLC and now have nothing to discuss with the body. The pharmacists declared an indefinite strike Sunday to press for their placement onto the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS). Though the response to the strike was initially patchy, latest reports suggest more regions are observing the industrial action. Spokesperson for the pharmacists, Ernest Owusu Aboagye explained to Joy News they have received the NLC invitation but believe it is only the Health Ministry that can address their grievances. “We would want to give very due respect to our sector minister and his team because we have lost faith in the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and as for them we are not going to meet them at all…” Meanwhile, the FWSC has also indicated it will only engage the pharmacists when they suspend their strike.