NLC declares UTAG strike as illegal while CETAG has agreed to call off its strike
The industrial action embarked on by two tertiary education teachers unions namely the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has been declared illegal by the National Labour Commission.
They are therefore calling on both UTAG and CETAG to call the industrial action off and get back to work. This was after separate meetings held with the leadership of both associations on Thursday, January 13, 2022.
“After the deliberations, the Commission declared the [UTAG] strike as illegal because they did not follow due process, which was fairly admitted by the executives of the University Teachers Association,” the Executive Secretary of NLC, Ofosu Asamoah said
He also revealed that UTAG and the Fair Wages Commission have also decided to hold extensive engagements on better conditions of service.
“The parties [UTAG] and Fair Wages Commission] agreed that they are given one month to go back to the negotiation table, deal with the issues outstanding and report back to the Commission on the 16th of February 2022.”
These decisions were taken at the NLC’s meeting with UTAG and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana [CETAG].
He said the CETAG on the other hand agreed to call off its strike.
They [CETAG] have actually agreed among themselves for the call off of the strike because they were within the remit of the law, but their issues have been resolved.”
However, the National President of CETAG, Prince Obeng Hemah, has indicated it will consult its legal team and decide on the next line of action in subsequent days.
“We will decide on the next line of action in the coming days. At this point, we are unable to make any pronouncements. We will touch base with our legal team and make a determination on the way forward,” he said.
CETAG members commenced their strike in all 46 public Colleges of Education last Thursday over claims that the government had failed to implement the 2017-2020 conditions of service, as agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding signed between CETAG and the government.
They want the government to pay their interim premiums and book and research allowances.
However, UTAG’s strike is to demand better conditions of service.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
