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In a recent development, the National Labour Commission (NLC) has issued a directive instructing the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU), affiliated with the Trades Union Congress, and the Senior Staff Association of Public Universities along with the Federation of Universities Senior Staff to promptly cease their ongoing strike.
The unions initiated the strike in response to the government’s alleged neglect of concerns related to pensions and the purported unjust termination of their overtime allowances.
After a meeting with the unions in Accra on Wednesday, January 24, the Executive Secretary of the National Labour Commission, Ofosu Asamoah, conveyed the importance of ending the strike to allow for negotiations with the government to address their grievances.
Mr. Asamoah emphasized that, according to the law, negotiations cannot occur while the unions are on strike. He also highlighted that two out of three issues raised by the unions have already been resolved, demonstrating the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue.
“The first one, your allowances, have been resolved, the UMAT and the UCC have been solved. The third one, which is in issue, the party against whom you are says I am guilty; however, let’s sit down and know how to correct it,” Mr. Asamoah stated.
Mark Korankye, the General Secretary of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) of the TUC, mentioned that the unions would consult their members before making a final decision. He conveyed the NLC’s directive for the Ministry of Finance to engage with them and resolve the matter by February 1.
Korankye added, “So they have also been directed to, as a matter of urgency, get this matter resolved. To the unions, the Commission says call off your strike.”
The General Secretary highlighted the unions’ commitment to consulting their members before reaching a conclusive decision. He stated, “Before we can make any pronouncements on that, since we are only representatives here, we have to go and confirm with our rank and file and other leaders who are not here. So we are going to call a meeting of our members probably tomorrow or Friday, and then we will discuss what transpired here.”
