The National Chairman of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) of GTUC, Peter Lumor has underscored the need for organized labour to update and make proactive decisions in dealing holistically with the implementation of the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP)/Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS). Mr. Lumor noted that some frustrations in the outcome of the implementation of the SSSS in the Ghana Education Service have implications for the union which is not pleasant to its leadership. Mr Lumor was speaking at the Western Regional Delegates Conference of TEWU in Takoradi on Tuesday. According to him, members need to get conversant with, and evaluate the union and reposition it to deal with the challenges that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission ACT 2007 (ACT 737) as well as the Labour Commission ACT 2003 (ACT 651) pose to TEWU as a trade union. He urged members to critically examine ACT 651, ACT 737 and TEWU’s own constitution by making recommendations, adopting resolutions and proposals for the consideration of the National Conference. “We can only do that when we understand and discuss issues with open minds” he said. Mr. Lumor further indicated that the educational sector is made up of tertiary and non-tertiary institutions, and that TEWU is unique and finds itself in both. “We are a very critical component of the educational delivery system that cannot be taken for granted or treated as a by-product”, he noted. Leadership of the union, according to him, has drawn attention of government, resulting in the extension of the teacher’s retention premium to TEWU members and further negotiations to improve agreed conditions of service are on course. The Sekondi-Takoradi Metro Director of Education, Nana Kofi Adjei Imbeah lauded the choice of the theme: “Sustaining Education Challenges; The Role of TEWU of GTUC as a Stakeholder”, for the conference. According to him, “no policy, however well intended can be effectively formulated and implemented without consulting and dialoguing with the very people who have a vital stake in the end result”. In this regard the Ghana Education Service recognizes the need to build a consultative process and make it an important feature of its administration to ensure the involvement of all stakeholders in decision making and implementation of policies. Nana Imbeah explained that the fact that all Ghanaians crave for quality in education for their wards cannot be gainsaid. He said the government has accepted the challenges as national responsibility and is prepared to face them squarely to ensure the country’s full participation in the global economy. Story: Joe Bright Nyarko/Aseda FM/ Ghana