UTAG, three other public university unions strike nationwide

Four Labour Unions in public universities across the country have declared indefinite strike beginning Monday October 17, 2022, following disagreement over what they say was a “unilateral” variation of agreed conditions of service.

The four unions; the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH), Senior Staff Association of the University of Ghana (SSA-UoG) and Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA).

The leadership of the unions, in a statement said government has failed to present the terms of payment for the vehicle maintenance and off-campus allowances, which are the main issues in contention, as directed by the National Labour Commission (NLC).

“The National Leaders of UTAG, GAUA, SSA-UoG, and TEWU-GH have made several efforts since April 2022 to address some issues related to their Fuel, Vehicle Maintenance, and Off-Campus Allowances. Following the Press Conference by the Labour Unions, the National Labour Commission (NLC) invited the parties to a hearing on 12

the October 2022, where the Commission entreated the parties to engage.

“It is important to state that up until the NLC hearing, the Employer had not responded to any of the letters of the Labour Unions or the request of the Commission for the Employer to respond to the complaints of the Labour Unions.

“The NLC ruling stated that the meeting was for “..the parties to engage within one-week on the terms of payment and other related matters…” However, the Employer

failed to present the “terms of payment” for the Vehicle Maintenance and Off

-Campus Allowances,” a statement co-signed by the four unions stated.

They added that “As a result of this development, we write to communicate that the intended strike action of all labour unions in the public universities in Ghana is to commence from Monday (17 October 2022) as the employer has, once again, failed to adhere to the directive of the NLC.”

Meanwhile, the National Leadership of the Labour Unions says it appreciate the overwhelming support given them and entreat all members to continue to stay calm and cooperate with the leadership as they strive for a favorable resolution.