The Upper East Regional Branch of the Ghana

National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has expressed disappointment at the

delay in the implementation of the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP) as the initial

plan was to have it implemented this year.
The Regional GNAT Secretary, Mr. Attey Linus Coffie, said teachers were

highly disappointed about the slow pace of the implementation of the SSPP.
He indicated that their plight had worsened due to the rising cost of inflation,

utilities, rent and other consumables, thus reducing the real value of their

earnings.
"Our hope had been that by January 2009 each of us would have been

enjoying a fairer salary structure devoid of distortions and disparity, which

would motivate us to work," Mr. Coffie stressed.
He also expressed worry about the undue delay of the National Pension Act

and called on Government to stop playing politics with the two schemes to

enhance the performance of workers.
He emphasized that if Government continued to be insensitive to the plight

of workers in the face of economic hardship they 'would advise themselves'.
Meanwhile teachers in the Region decided that they would from Monday

begin to wear red arm bands as a warning to Government to speed up the

implementation process of the SSPP and the National Pension Act.
"We are by this action serving a warning to Government that any further

delay in solving this salary issue would lead to further action that is yet to be

determined," they said.
In another development, the GNAT Secretary asked some public servants

alleged to have been engaged in manoeuvring to delay the SSPP to desist from

that and rather channel their concerns to the Fair Wages and Salary Commission for redress.