The Civil Service Council (CSC) on Friday appealed to the Civil and Local Government Staff Association–Ghana (CLOGSAG) to call off its nationwide strike and return to the negotiating table.

In a statement issued to the Ghana News Agency in Accra signed by Dr Robert Dodoo CSC Chairman said the council is offering to play a leading role in the endeavour.

The Council called on all Civil and Local Government Staff to remain calm, loyal and continue to offer dedicated services to the nation.

The statement explained that the appeal was made during an emergency Council meeting with the leadership of CLOGSAG during which the purported strike was discussed.

According to the statement, the purported strike declared by CLOGSAG came to the CRS as a surprise because on Monday, October 29 the Council met representatives of the leadership of CLOGSAG and heard their concerns.

“There and then, the Council agreed to formally convey the concerns of CLOGSAG to government and had since Tuesday, October 30 done so.

According to the Council, the CLOGSAG leadership agreed to convene a National Executive Committee on Tuesday November 6 to convey the Council’s position to its membership.

CLOGSAG declared an indefinite industrial action last Wednesday, October 31 to pressure government to pay premium to its members, saying, “The strike…is in response to failure on the part of government and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to address outstanding issues with regard to the payment of premium to its members”.

Meanwhile the Greater Accra Regional Secretary of CLOGSAG, Mr Samuel Nii Clottey, said the strike shall remain in force until government gives in to the demand of members.

He acknowledged that though there were “few bad nuts” amongst them who are not observing the directive, the strike is in progress and is expected to pressure government to yield to their demand.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency Mr Clottey refuted assertion that the association failed to follow due process before embarking on the strike.

He said: “The association has not breached any process pertaining to the labour law on grievances and negotiations before embarking on the industrial action. We followed due processes”.