UTAG strike: Public universities may shutdown
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) enters its third week of strike action, all 15 public universities across the country face closure, causing significant disruption to the academic calendar at the tertiary level.
The strike is approaching the end of a 21-day deadline for the continued suspension of academic operations, which is required by law for public colleges to close.
The National Labour Commission (NLC) later ordered the strike to be called off immediately, however UTAG members at all 15 public universities have voted a resolution to begin their strike on January 10, 2022.
Although the NLC has described the strike as “illegal and does not conform to the laid down procedures,” the university teachers remain unperturbed describing the NLC position as surprising.
A resolution passed by the University of Ghana branch of UTAG (UG-UTAG) said the NLC's posture was not encouraging.
“Members were surprised at the NLC directive for the strike to be called off due to late notification, even though the NLC had deliberately evaded and frustrated the processes to serve them with notification.
“Members also expressed worry about the unhelpful posturing of the NLC because UTAG’s intention to strike had always been in the public domain from the middle of 2021, yet the NLC had not been proactive in resolving the issues, particularly with regard to the Government’s obligations to UTAG,” said in a UG-UTAG statement. Prime News reported.
The resolution document of UG-UTAG cited by Prime News suggests there is a general consensus among all the lecturers at the public universities that until their demands for improved Conditions of Service are met, they won't call off the strike.
Meanwhile, academic work has stalled for close to three weeks amid the back-and-forth between UTAG and the government.
Among other things, UTAG wants the government to reconsider the payment of its annual research allowance to a more realistic allowance “as this is critical to our research output, promotion and ultimately national development.”
They also want the 2013 Interim Market Premium (IMP) of 114% of Basic Salary restored.
According to UTAG, until their demands for improved conditions of service are met, they cannot call off the strike.
Meanwhile, the Education Ministry says it is working behind the scenes to get UTAG members back to work.
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