The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has accused the Health Services Workers Union (HSWU) of intimidation following the union’s threat to go on strike on Monday, November 11, over what it claims are stalled negotiations with the government regarding a new Collective Agreement.
According to the Union, it submitted proposals to the FWSC in November of the previous year to begin discussions for a mandatory review. However, despite several rounds of negotiations that started in May 2024, no progress has been made.
In response to the Union’s claims, Ben Arthur, the Chief Executive of the FWSC, held a news conference in which he refuted the allegations, demanding that the HSWU retract the statement and apologize to the Commission.
Arthur emphasized that the FWSC has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to negotiating the Conditions of Service for HSWU members, in accordance with Section 97 of the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651).
He explained that after the HSWU submitted its proposals, both parties signed Rules of Engagement on April 17, 2024, to begin negotiations. Since then, several meetings have been held to discuss the health workers’ Conditions of Service.
Arthur further clarified that on October 9, 2024, both sides met to finalize and sign an agreement. However, just before the meeting concluded, the Union requested a delay in signing, citing concerns that the majority of its members would not benefit from the agreement and wanting to introduce new items for negotiation.
Despite warnings from the government team that these new demands would delay the process, the Union pressed forward. Arthur noted that on November 5, 2024, the HSWU was invited to a meeting scheduled for November 7, only for the Union to issue a press release just hours before the meeting.
The FWSC views this as an unfair labor practice and a demonstration of bad faith. The Commission is calling on the HSWU leadership to retract the press release and issue an apology. Arthur stated that the Union’s threat to strike, despite the government’s goodwill throughout the negotiations, amounts to bad faith, and that the government cannot be blamed for any delays.
