GNAT: Single spine pay policy in January 2010 not negotiable

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) on Thursday said the implementation of the Single Spine Pay Policy in January 2010 was not negotiable and organised labour would do everything within its powers to bring it on board.

"As a matter of principle, government must ensure that the roadmap agreed upon is implemented within the remaining timeframe," a letter signed by Mrs Irene Duncun-Adanusa, General Secretary of GNAT, to the Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, said.

The letter expressed regret about delays in the implementation of the roadmap of the single spine pay policy.

"Organised labour has observed that up till October 2009, the expected White Paper on the policy has not been issued to enable the other processes to begin."

GNAT noted that the roadmap was therefore behind schedule for four months, adding "this situation is regrettable when viewed against the backdrop that the national budget for 2010 will be read in November, 2009".

Under the roadmap, activities to be undertaken between September and November are negotiations with organised labour on negotiable aspects of the structure; placing all job holders on the new pay structure and Controller and Accountant General's Department test running the single spine pay structure.

"No extension of time will be entertained. We hope that the government will do what is required to ensure industrial peace which is necessary for economic growth," the letter said.

The letter was copied to several people including the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, The Fair Wages Commission, Secretary to the Cabinet, Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress, President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers, President of Ghana Registered Nurses Association, President of the Judicial Service Workers Union and the Ghana Federation of Labour.