We have reached an agreement with UTAG to not go on strike – Education Ministry
The Education Ministry has sought to allay the fears of Ghanaian students over the threat of strike action by members of the University Teachers Association of Ghana UTAG stating that they have reached an agreement with the members of UTAG.
The meeting between the Education Ministry and UTAG was necessary following threats by UTAG to resume the suspended strike over the government’s failure to address their conditions of service regarding the implementation of the 2012 memorandum which pegged their salaries at $ 1500 to $2000. A breakdown in discussion for a one month period allowed to enable both sides to reach a deal after they signed a Memorandum of Agreement in August has irked the association to issues its latest threats.
But Head of Public Relations at the Education Ministry, Kwesi Kwarteng has assured that both parties have reached a consensus making way for UTAG to rescind its decision.
“I can confirm that there has been some form of agreement between the two parties. Earlier, UTAG had threatened industrial action, but by virtue of the agreement we had and the meeting we just concluded, the strike will not be coming off, so you have government having a consensus with UTAG,” he said.
Initially, UTAG members had withdrawn their services since the beginning of August 2021 because they want the government to restore the conditions of service agreed upon in 2012 which they said was far better than the current benefits they have.
The 2012 Single Spine package put entry-level lecturers on a salary of $2,084 while the current level puts lecturers’ salaries around $900.
That three-week industrial action by UTAG severely affected academic and some non-academic work at the various tertiary campuses.
A legal tussle ensued lasted when the National Labour Commission dragged UTAG to court to force them out of the strike action and though they secured an injunction, the association failed to comply. The High Court Labour Division 1, later advised the parties to settle the case out of court which eventually led to the agreement to suspend the strike by UTAG for one month.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
