Pharmacists To Begin Partial Strike, If�

The Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) will by close of day on Friday embark on a partial strike. The strike will include withdrawal of night and weekend services as well as services on public holidays. According to the association it will also withdraw the National Health Insurance service; however, all other services will be provided. In an interview with Citi News, the Vice Chairman of GHOSPA, Agyemang Badu said the strike is a result of the refusal of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to pay GHOSPA members the �appropriate� Conversion Difference under the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS). �For the past three years membership of GHOSPA has been on the war front as far as labour issue is concerned. We had thought that with the setting up of a committee by the government whose work ended with a government white paper on the recommendations they churn out�,�� he said. He stated that since June 2013 when the report came out, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has failed to act according to the recommendations, hence the ultimatum. ��If by the close of work today [Friday] we have not heard from government why its own recommendations have not been implemented, then we will embark on a partial withdrawal of services�,�� he noted. Mr. Badu also stated that members of GHOSPA are agitated and are surprised that Fair Wages has failed to implement the recommendations of the government sub-committee. �We are looking at what is due us per the cabinet sub-committee�s report�s recommendation; we are not demanding pay rise or equality with doctors,�� he added. He further said pharmacist only wants what is due them based on job evaluation.