Staff Of Ghana’s Electoral Commission Threaten To Embark On A Nationwide Strike Next Month

Strike, strike, strike, John Mahama’s middle name should be changed to strike- every conceivable public institution have gone on strike sometime within the past four years.
The latest to jump on the bandwagon, unless something drastic happens within the next few weeks, are staff of the Electoral Commission. They are threatening a nationwide strike on February 22 unless their poor conditions of service are addressed.
In a letter to the EC boss Charlotte Osei, announcing their intentions, the staff members have noted that negotiations have stalled since 2012, and it seems a strike is the only language that would be understood at this point.
Therefore, “On 15thFebruary, 2016, the entire staff will embark on a sit-down strike, and on 22 February, 2016, a full blown strike will be embarked upon by the entire staff” they wrote in the letter.
They are just joining a long list of other labour unions fighting for a better life in this hot Ghana. Read their letter below…
RESOLUTION OF THE DIVISIONAL UNION AND THE SENIOR STAFF ASSOCIATION OF ELECTORAL COMMISSION AT A JOINT EMERGENCY MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 19THJANUARY, 2016 AT THE HEAD OFFICE, ACCRA
We the undersigned and leaders of the Union and the Senior Staff Association, on behalf of the entire staff,
Having met on Tuesday, 19^th January, 2016, at the Head office and dispassionately and thoughtfully considered and dilated our conditions of service in general, but with special emphasis on the low salary levels,
Noting that, all avenues for resolution have been exhausted,
Realizing that all salary negotiations undertaken with the relevant institutions and authorities since 2012 have yielded no resolution,
Realizing that the payments of allowances after every salary negotiation are but only window dressing of the real problem,
Mindful of our economic and social security as employees after retirement,
Determined to build for ourselves and our families through all legal and legitimate means a happy, comfortable and restful future and not depending on families and relations,
Believing that our humble and meek posture in all negotiations have been taken to be a weakness and thus not taken serious,
Pledging to conduct our affairs within the constitutional prescription, and
In the exercise of our constitutional right as employees;
Do hereby resolve and be unequivocally be resolved that;
a) On 8th of February, 2016, the entire staff of the Electoral Commission will raise red flags in all Commission’s establishments and vehicles as a sign of our dissatisfaction and aversion of the state of affairs
b) On 15thFebruary, 2016, the entire staff will embark on a sit-down strike, and
c) On 22″ February, 2016, a full blown strike will be embarked upon by the entire staff.
We write this to bring to your notice and attention this roadmap of our intended actions.
Thank you.
cc: Deputy Chairman, Operations
Deputy Chairperson, Finance & Administration
All Commission Members
Head Quarters Directors
Regional Directors
Regional Representatives