We the Northern Regional (N/R) branch members of the Government and Hospital Pharmacist Association (GHOSPA) would like to humbly appeal to the National Labour Commission (NLC) to hasten and give a final ruling on the matters between GHOSPA and the Fair Wages and Salary Commission (FWSC).

It would be recalled that a nationwide industrial action embarked upon by the members of GHOSPA had to be called off on 24th September, 2012, due to an invitation (dated 17th September) by the NLC to enter both GHOSPA and FWSC into a compulsory arbitration on 3rd October, 2012.

However, to our unreserved dismay, this supposed arbitration process which was meant to be a final resolution step between both parties was rescheduled to 10th October, 2012, on grounds that the quorum required of the panel of the NLC to pass a final judgement had not been achieved. In view of this, the NLC again postponed the date of final ruling to 17th October, 2012.

Whiles making the NLC aware that we the N/R members of GHOSPA are trying to comprehend the convoluted legal process needed to resolve this longstanding issue between GHOSPA and FWSC, we would also like to express our dissatisfaction about the inordinate delays in passing a final judgment on the issues of market premium and grading structure.

Hanging the fate of our migration unto the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) in the balance by NLC is quiet an uneasy and unpleasant situation which must be brought to a quick halt.

It is therefore our sincere hope that a fair judgement on the issues brought before the NLC would be finally passed on the set date, 17th October, 2012, in order to prevent any preventable future disruption on the labour front.
Thank you

By:
Frank Kumi
Spokesperson,
GHOSPA, Northern Regional Branch.