NLC summons leaders of striking college teachers after they failed to honour the first invitation
The Colleges of Education Teachers Association (CETAG) has been invited by the National Labour Commission (NLC) after it failed to honour the first invitation extended to them by the NLC on 12th January 2022 over their strike action in the quest for better conditions of service.
In essence, the NLC has exercised its authority under section 139 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) to order the leadership of the group for a fresh meeting.
The meeting between the two entities has now been shifted to Thursday, January 13, 2022, at 2:30 pm.
“The directive is following CETAG’s refusal and/or failure to appear before the Commission on Wednesday, 12th January 2022. The hearing is therefore rescheduled and all the parties are entreated to appear as scheduled”, the NLC said in a statement.
CETAG had initially informed the NLC of its intention to withdraw its services, with the Commission intervening by inviting the disputing parties.
Though representatives of the employer showed up at the meeting, CETAG is reported not to have shown up without any prior notice.
Members of CETAG withdrew their services in all 46 public Colleges of Education citing 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.
Like other striking associations, they want the government to pay their interim premiums and book and research allowances.
The leadership of CETAG had indicated that a meeting with its National Council will determine whether its ongoing industrial action over service conditions would be called off or not.
This was, after the government’s meeting between the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, the Ministry of Labour, and the National Labour Commission assured they will pay all arrears owed CETAG members by the end of January 2022 and asked the group to resume work.
Mr. Prince Obeng-Himan, CETAG president said teaching in all public colleges of education has been put on hold for now, until a level ground that will warrant suspending their strike is agreed upon.
“At the end of the conversation, Government admitted that they have not been forthcoming regarding payment, and they asked us to call off the strike because they have shown commitment that the money will be paid at the end of January. But we told them that the strike was declared by the National Council.”
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
